Kevin Blanchard, public works director for Lafayette Consolidated Government, is resigning that post.

Blanchard, a former journalist and attorney, is going to work for Southern Lifestyle Development as its general counsel.

SLD is the company formed by Robert Daigle, Rodney Savoy and Robert Gagnard, developers of The Village at River Ranch.

The announcement of Blanchard’s pending departure comes four days after the election of Joel Robideaux as the new Lafayette city-parish president. Robideaux takes office Jan. 4.

Current City-Parish President Joey Durel could not seek re-election because of term limits. Durel hired Blanchard. Durel’s chief administrative officer, Dee Stanley, unsuccessfully opposed Robideaux in the race.

Blanchard told The Daily Advertiser this morning that he plans to leave LCG in mid-November but is offering to assist the Robideaux administration with the transition.

The new job, Blanchard said, is unrelated to the election results.

“This was an opportunity that presented itself before the election and it’s really one of those opportunities that, regardless of who wins, was just too exciting to pass up,” he said.

Blanchard said he won’t be able to work in Lafayette for two years because of ethics laws. SLD has 17 communities under various stages of development in Louisiana, including Lake Charles, Monroe, Gonzalez and Bossier.

Durel appointed Blanchard to a position he created, chief development officer, in November 2013. In December 2014, Blanchard was named public works director.

He was involved, as a volunteer and later as development director, with development of Lafayette’s comprehensive plan and unified development code.