CARMEL — Two days after announcing strict enforcement of a 2 p.m. closing time for a local tavern following complaints about noise and other issues against the establishment, the city of Carmel on Thursday announced an agreement to allow The GOAT Tavern to operate with extended hours temporarily.
The previous owners of the property operated a breakfast and lunch cafe and received a variance to permit the sale of alcohol. The variance runs with the property, allowing subsequent owners the same variance.
The city said when the new owners opened their business, city staffers missed the fact the variance included hours of operation that ended at 2 p.m. and the GOAT was "inadvertently allowed to operate with a closing time of 3 a.m."
As part of the agreement announced Thursday, GOAT will be allowed to remain open under certain conditions until the use variance is decided on Feb. 25, 2021. The city said strict compliance is required as part of the agreement in order for the business to remain open. If there is a failure to comply, the business will have 24 hours to make the necessary changes. Failure to do so could result in the city's Department of Community Services requiring GOAT to cease operations immediately, the city said.
The business will be allowed to operate from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 10 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday. All food and beverage service must end one hour before closing.
The agreement requires noise levels to be at or below 50 decibels. If an ordinance is passed by the city requiring new lower levels, the business is required to abide by the new levels. Live music is prohibited
Capacity at the business is capped at 40 persons or less per toilet in compliance with the State of Indiana Building Code. If more restrooms are added, capacity an increase accordingly. The occupancy includes the indoor area and the three-season patio area.
The agreement also requires the Sandlot outdoor area, including the fire pit, to be closed unless use of that area is approved as part of the use variance.
The GOAT is also required to control the entrance and exits of the premises to ensure all employees and patrons are only using public streets, sidewalks, paths and the Monon Greenway and are not accessing through private residences. If necessary, the GOAT will employ private security to ensure compliance and to prevent endangerment of neighboring properties.
The agreement further stipulates there will be only one entrance into the establishment on the east side of the building and the GOAT wil employ a full-time employee bouncer at the main entrance to confirm legal age of all who enter, prevent patrons from taking beverages outside the restaurant, to ensure patrons have left at closing and to prevent loitering in the immediate area after closing.
All ride-sharing activities will be directed to the drop off/pick up point near Midtown Garage.
The owners of GOAT will be responsible for installing a water hose to be used to regularly clean outside the premises and the surrounding area as well as for the collection of trash in a three-block area following daily closing.
"We are pleased that the owners of the GOAT have agreed to these critical steps to take control of the activities at their venue," Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard said. "This will also give them the opportunity to show their commitment to be better neighbors and that they can coexist in this vibrant area of our city prior to the final vote on the variance in early 2021. We appreciate the input and patience of those who have expressed concerns and hope that they see an immediate difference."
