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Avon staff outline Riverwalk district to ease liquor‑license limits for new restaurants
Summary
Town staff said a Riverwalk Economic Development District could let Avon recommend liquor permits to the state, bypassing quota limits, allowing four–six restaurant spots initially; a DORA (outdoor drinking area) could follow. Council asked staff to research ordinance language and application steps.
Town staff described a proposed Riverwalk Economic Development District that would give Avon the authority to recommend liquor permits to the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission (ATC) and thus allow permit issuance without normal quota limits.
How it would work: Planner Anna explained the statute requires proximity to a waterway (White Lick Creek qualifies), a limited radius (about 1,500 feet), and that the area be part of an economic development project. Creating the district is done by ordinance; once the town certifies it has met statutory tests, the town will review applications from businesses in the district and submit a recommendation letter to the ATC. The ATC would still perform its normal licensing review but would not enforce quota limits for the district.
Local controls and commitments: Staff described options to include written commitments in the town’s application: expectations on business type, diversity of restaurants and cultural offerings, limits or transferable commitments, and post‑approval monitoring. Those commitments can be enforced through the town’s administrative process and by recommending revocation to the ATC if businesses violate written conditions.
Scale and timeline: Anna estimated the district could initially be targeted to four–six restaurants, depending on demand and the town’s preferences. The council asked staff to bring ordinance language and an administrative application process back for later consideration and potential ordinance introduction.
Why it matters: Council members said the district could remove a practical barrier to attracting the restaurants and hospitality uses the town seeks for its Easton Gray/Riverwalk area, but council emphasized the need to craft language that protects town priorities and retains local control over the character of new businesses.
