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Council approves special exception for Bash's Event LLC photo‑booth venue at 100 W. 79th Ave
Summary
The Town of Merrillville council approved a special‑exception zoning permit allowing Bash's Event LLC to operate a 1,781‑square‑foot indoor event and photo‑booth space at 100 West 79th Avenue. Owner Carrie Bender described hours, capacity and pricing; no remonstrators attended and the motion passed unanimously on a 5–0 roll call.
At a council meeting where the date was not specified in the transcript, the Town of Merrillville voted to approve a special‑exception zoning permit for Bash's Event LLC to operate a small indoor event space and integrated photo‑booth business at 100 West 79th Avenue.
Planning staff described the proposal as a 1,781‑square‑foot indoor venue in a C2 Community Commercial zone that will host small gatherings — meetings, corporate events, weddings and private parties — and accommodate up to about 50 people. The petitioner, owner Carrie Bender, told the council the business will not sell or serve alcohol, will operate primarily indoors with two exits for safe ingress and egress, and will provide security for events after 6 p.m.
Bender said the venue will bundle the photo‑booth with space rental. She described curated events — for example holiday photo sessions — at a lower, per‑slot price (about $20–$25) and gave a two‑hour booth‑rental starting price of $420 (additional fee for prints). Councilors asked routine clarifying questions about pricing, whether outside decorators would be allowed and which physical address should be used for mail; staff said the petitioner had provided the address used in the application and that planning staff would follow up with the building manager on the mailing address.
Councilman Pettit moved for approval and the motion was seconded. There were no remonstrators at the public hearing; a roll call vote recorded five votes in favor and the special‑exception was approved.
The approval permits the petitioner to operate at the specified address for this use only. Planning staff and the petitioner indicated conditions of approval (no alcohol on site, indoor operations, security for late events) that form part of the record. The council did not attach additional conditions on record beyond those discussed during the hearing.
The action means the business may proceed with local permitting required to occupy and operate the space. The council offered the petitioner congratulations before moving on to other agenda items.
