CARMEL, Ind. (WTHR) — The city of Carmel has moved to stop the Lucas Estate from holding events, filing for an injunction to stop them from "conducting a business at their private residential property."
The Lucas Estate is located near 116th Street and Ditch Road.
“It doesn’t matter who you are, we owe it to the residential neighbors in the community to require compliance from the Lucases. The neighbors rely on the city to enforce the zoning ordinances in place, which helps protect their property values,” said Mayor Jim Brainard.
The city's release says the Lucases are claiming they are donating the event space for non-profit events, but are in fact profiting from the catering for the events.
The Lucas Estate is as well known as any home in Indiana. Forrest Lucas bought the sprawling 25,000 square foot home to save it from falling into disrepair. He explained his vision for the property to Eyewitness News in November of 2011.
"We look at this as a charity to share with people. Let charities come here and make money," he told our Anne Marie Tiernon.
For the last two years, that vision has run afoul of zoning laws, neighbors and the competition.
"They sell the food and throw in the venue. The Lucas's are doing business in a residential zoned area, not paying the same taxes as the commercial area business tax is double what the residential rate is," Brainard said Thursday.
The Lucases filed for a variance which was denied, and yet, according to the city, they have continued to operate. In fact, the property was cited as the "best wedding spot in the country" by the Wedding Spot website. The website also points out the venue is free but you must pay for the catering.
"The city's job in zoning is to protect neighbors who make the largest investment of their lives in their homes and it's our job to enforce those laws," said Brainard.
Late Thursday, the city of Carmel filed for permanent injunction and abatement of business at that location.
"These laws need to apply to everybody, regardless to how much money they have or who they are," Brainard said.
An attorney for the Lucas family issued a one page statement which read, in part:
"The Lucases are not looking for special treatment. They have repeatedly said that we are willing to abide by the same rules as everybody else. We also said repeatedly that we want to be a good neighbor. They have committed to work with the City of Carmel to ensure that they are in compliance with the zoning and noise ordinances. The Lucases love their country and their community. They want to continue to lead the way to help those who are less fortunate. They hope that the city will choose to work with them to accomplish this worthwhile goal."