Carmel Council sends GOAT rezoning to committee and approves CRC land purchase • Current Publications

Carmel City Council met Feb. 7 to consider a request to rezon the site of The GOAT, approve a land purchase by the Carmel Redevelopment Commission, and approve dates for the suspension of the tenancy ordinance at short term.

What happened: Council sent a proposal to rezon The GOAT site from residential to commercial to the Land Use Planning and Special Studies Committee for discussion.

What it means: The GOAT, a tavern that opened at 220 2nd St. SW in the summer of 2020, has been closed since April 2021 after the zoning appeal board denied a use waiver so that can operate in a residential area. After a judge overturned the BZA’s decision, the tavern owner decided to pursue rezoning instead, as the plot is the only site with residential zoning on the Monon Greenway in Midtown.

What’s next: The committee, which hasn’t announced a meeting date, is expected to vote on whether to recommend council approve the rezoning. City Council will have the final vote on the matter.

What happened: Council voted to allow CRC to purchase the building at 611 3rd Ave. SW for $4.8 million.

What it means: According to Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard, the city is considering the land as a potential site for the Great American Songbook Museum, which it would likely lease to the Great American Songbook Foundation if museum projects move forward on the site . Even if that doesn’t happen, CRC director Henry Mestetsky said the site is the largest in the Midtown area and isn’t owned by the city or any of its partners, so it’s makes sense that the city would buy the land as it continues to redevelop the area. . The site is currently home to Laser Flash and Magnetic Concepts, both of which plan to move to Westfield.

Next Steps: CRC will continue the land purchase process.

What happened: Council approved the dates for the suspension of the Short Term Residential Tenancies Ordinance.

What it means: Typically, residents must receive city approval to use their property as a short-term rental through sites such as Airbnb and VRBO, but the approval process is not required at certain times of the year. In 2022, these dates are March 2-6, March 9-13, March 17-19, April 8-9, May 27-29 and July 16-23, which correspond to the men’s basketball tournaments and Women’s Big Ten, the NCAA basketball tournament, the Indianapolis 500 and the Songbook Academy.