Mishawaka council revokes event‑center use variance after police cite repeated after‑hours incidents

The Mishawaka Common Council on Monday revoked a use variance that had allowed an event center to operate at 526 West McKinley, concluding the facility repeatedly violated a condition that events end by midnight and created a public‑safety risk.

Ken Prince, director of planning and community development, told the council the Board of Zoning Appeals and the council approved the variance in April 2025 with a non‑negotiable condition that events conclude by 12:00 a.m. He said police reports and social‑media advertising show events at the site ran well past midnight and that staff sent notice to the applicant and prepared the rescission resolution. “The events that have occurred at this facility were not only in violation of the ordinance, but they’ve created an environment that is inherently dangerous,” Prince said.

Police Chief Alex Art detailed a series of incidents his department responded to, including a Dec. 7, 2025 parking‑lot fight, an April 26, 2026 parking‑lot fight, a May 9 call involving about 50 people in the lot, and a May 23 event advertised online as 10:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. He said officers attempted to contact facility management before May events, observed patrons carrying alcohol into the parking lot, and found advertising that suggested alcohol sales beyond what a catering license allows. “Large gatherings spilling outside with alcohol consumption is a recipe for issues,” Chief Art said, and he told the council the incidents left large portions of a patrol shift tied to the site while other areas of the city were left with reduced coverage.

During questioning, council members pointed to calls for multiple officers (one call sheet listed 11 Mishawaka officers dispatched) and asked whether those deployments left the rest of the city underprotected. Chief Art said repeated large‑crowd responses impose clear staffing and safety risks.

Latrina Anderson, the tenant who operates events at Level’s Event Center, told the council the landlord had been out of the country and that the administration had incorrect contact information; she said she was not trying to run after‑hours events and that she had arranged private security and at least one South Bend officer on a recent night. Anderson disputed some police characterizations and asked to see body‑camera footage referenced during the presentation. She acknowledged the May 23 event ended after midnight (she said it ended about 2:50 a.m.) and said she would ensure future events end by midnight.

Landlord Abid Farhan said he testified in support of the original variance and that he expects tenants to follow laws and ordinances; he also said he does not set specific closing hours for all commercial tenants but that tenants must respect applicable laws.

After administration, police and public testimony, the council president said the record showed one or more violations of the midnight condition and a resulting public‑safety concern. The council called the question and the clerk recorded affirmative votes from the members present; the resolution to rescind the variance passed.

The rescission means the property may continue to be used for any C2 shopping‑center uses but may not operate as an event center under the previously granted variance. Council members said the decision was driven by repeated incidents and the operational strain they placed on police resources. The council did not at the meeting impose additional enforcement actions beyond rescinding the variance; the Indiana State Excise Police were noted as the agency reviewing any alcohol‑licensing issues mentioned by police.

The council adjourned the hearing after the roll call vote.