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Council expands downtown DORA to include new blocks; ordinance adopted 7-0
Summary
The Town Council expanded the designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) in downtown Zionsville by ordinance 2025-23, extending boundaries north of Poplar and east to Elm. Council suspended rules and passed the ordinance Oct. 6, 7-0.
ZIONSVILLE, Ind. — The Town of Zionsville council voted unanimously Oct. 6 to expand the downtown designated outdoor refreshment area known as DORA, approving Ordinance 2025-23.
Deputy Mayor Justin Hage presented the proposal and said the expansion would extend the DORA to the north side of Poplar (across from Cohatch and Goodman Jewelers) and to the east side of Elm at the end of Oak. Hage credited business owners Erica Carpenter and Angie McCloskey and welcomed new downtown merchant Sherry Larson. “This gives an opportunity for residents to, take beverages to those areas,” Hage said.
Background and mechanics Under the town’s DORA rules, the geographic boundary determines where patrons may carry permitted beverages; individual businesses decide whether to be designated vendors that sell or accept the DORA tokens. Hage said businesses cannot unilaterally veto inclusion in the geographic boundary; the council may modify the district as long as expansions are contiguous.
Environmental and vendor considerations Councilor Milton raised the town’s solid-waste and recycling interest and urged use of recyclable or aluminum cups. He said Boone County Solid Waste Management District has discussed reusable or recyclable options and encouraged the town and Main Street Zionsville to coordinate. Hage said the town purchased an initial supply of cups and that Main Street and the chamber could coordinate future orders and grant opportunities for recyclable cups.
Votes and timing Councilor Melton moved to introduce Ordinance 2025-23; Councilor Samson seconded. The council later voted to suspend the rules to consider final passage the same evening (motion by Councilor Norris, second by Vice President Burke). Final adoption followed by voice vote and passed 7 in favor, 0 opposed. Several councilors said vendors planned an open house Nov. 1 and asked that the ordinance be in place before that event.
What stays the same Hage and councilors reiterated that participating businesses still choose whether to sell or accept DORA beverage tokens, and the town will work with Main Street Zionsville on any vendor-related logistics or future reporting on economic impacts.
Next steps Officials said they may return with a report on DORA’s sales and foot-traffic impacts after roughly a year of operation, and will work with Main Street and the chamber on cup procurement and possible grant funding for recyclable materials.
