HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter #66 Pete Hilger - third submissionA Allied Solutions
350 Veterans Way, Suite 200
Carmel, Indiana 46032
DATE: April 22, 2021
TO: City Council & Zoning Committee
FROM: Pete Hilger
City Council & Zoning Committee,
I am writing to you regarding my ongoing concern of the zoning approval process for The
Goat Tavern. As many of you know, I am the CEO of Allied Solutions, one of the largest
employers in the Carmel area as well as an organization that has shown an extremely
strong commitment to the city of Carmel and the communities we represent. Our actions
in supporting the city and its community have been very visible and impactful. This is a
duty that our organization and its employees are strongly committed to. This commitment
will continue to increase as our organization grows our corporate presence in the city of
Carmel.
As I have sat back and watched a particular individual within the city make a spectacle of
what is going on in the zoning process with The GOAT, I cannot help but reinforce that
my company's position, the position of many of our employees, and others in the
community are represented in supporting the zoning approval of The GOAT. I do realize
there have been challenges as The GOAT started to get established in the community,
but I also am a strong believer that the proprietor, Kevin Paul, is an individual that wants
to be supportive and committed to the community and do everything he can to do the right
thing.
Apparently, there is an individual that lives next to The GOAT that decided to build a home
next to an existing business structure. Although the zoning and type of facility that was
next to his new home was different than today, it is common practice when a community
begins to grow to have change. A perfect example of these types of changes would be
Main Street and how it has increased in size and begun to impact some of the front yards
of many of the homes as you enter the Carmel Arts District. These individuals have
owned their homes for a long time and I am sure that these changes, as the city grows,
create noise issues for them and concern based on where they live and the environment
that existed many years ago versus where it is today. I have also noticed that some of
those individuals chose to sell their homes and relocate elsewhere. Others accepted the
change, most likely appreciating the growth of Carmel and its communities, and wanted
to be a part of supporting this overall effort.
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A ,Allied Solutions
350 Veterans Way, Suite 200
Carmel, Indiana 46032
This is not the case of the neighbor behind The GOAT. Not only has he been approaching
people in almost a bully type style, his constant letter writing and documentation of events
that happens near or on his property are an attempt to try to influence the appropriate
committees to shut down a small business proprietor who has provided a great addition
from an employment base standpoint as well as part of the overall entertainment and
dining resources that exist in our community today. In addition, Kevin Paul has gone
through extreme measures to try to communicate to this individual as well as work to
develop a better and improved relationship with the community to ensure both small
business growth and community development can coexist.
I felt that this letter was necessary to reiterate the position of Allied Solutions, many of our
employees, and me personally that using these type of tactics to intimidate people as well
as try to influence others does not align with our community beliefs. In fact, to the best of
my knowledge and from what you can see visibly and read about, this individual who
seems to be at the root of driving momentum to not have the zoning approved is not the
best community steward based on his contribution to the wonderful city of Carmel. It
could be argued that this person has very little presence on this property whatsoever and
that it is more of a business that he is running than a homestead.
Hopefully you will include in your decision process the thoughts of a strong steward and
supporter of the city of Carmel and the community as well as a large employee base who
enjoys not only The GOAT but the other fantastic restaurants and taverns in our
community. It assists in attracting talented employees to our organization as well as
making them a part of this great community.
In closing, I do realize the city has put significant time, energy, and resources into this
evaluation. I only hope you conclude on the right thing and support small businesses as
long as our efforts are to try to be good community contributors and citizens in growing
the small business environment within the city of Carmel.
Respectfully,
Peter J Hilger, CEO
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