Fire restriction ordinance passed

Permitting process for events also advanced

The Lafayette City Council unanimously passed a fire restriction ordinance at its regular council meeting Tuesday evening.

The council also approved a contract for the development of a strategic plan for the library and Arts and Culture Resources Department, and approved a first reading of a community event ordinance.

The contract for the development of the library and ACRD strategic plan was awarded to Prosono, a minority-based Colorado business, and is supported by the 2022 budget.

Following the COVID shutdown of in-person services, Library Director Melissa Hisel said the city is still discovering how the pandemic reshaped the way residents utilize the library and ACRD resources and the scope and direction of the strategic plan will reflect that learning curve.

“We really want a plan specific to Lafayette’s unique community,” Hisel said. “This plan will inform the future direction of the work we do.”

Hisel said the strategic plan would be a first of of it’s kind for both the departments, noting Prosono was selected for their “very iterative process that is adaptable and flexible.”

The city’s fire restriction ordinance, presented by Fire Chief Pete Bradshaw, is built on four components: implementation, causation, definitions and enforcement. Bradshaw said it dovetails with the county’s existing fire restrictions.

Bradshaw said the ordinance was written with transparency in mind and identifies two stages of restrictions. Stage one and two would both ban outdoor cigarette smoking.

Small recreational fires and certain chainsaws would be permitted in stage one, but prohibited in stage two.

Industrial projects where there would be sparks or flame, such as welding, would require a permit in stage two.

Outdoor and backyard propane and gas grills are exempt.

The ordinance passed unanimously and will be rolled out to the community with an educational-first approach. Bradshaw said the fire restriction ordinance complement the existing fireworks ordinance.

“We’re not interested in issuing summons,” Bradshaw said.

The council also unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to create a streamlined community event permitting process for events held in public spaces and impacting public rights of way, with an exemption for funeral processions

. The council will receive the second reading in August.