The Bier Garten in downtown Utica will be finished by May 1 and have live music.

Thursday, the Utica Village Board voted 4-2 to modify a special use granted to Hive Holdings, LLC and Bier Garten, LLC, which own the outdoor venue affiliated with Lodi Taphouse, located across the street.

The project had been granted a special use that didn’t allow for amplified sound. Now, there can be live music and can operate year-round.

Village Attorney Herb Klein said the year-round option was needed because there are busy days outside the summer calendar — St. Patrick’s Day and Veterans Day to name two — when ownership wants to attract the holiday crowds.

“They want to be able to decide that based on the weather,” Klein said.

Trustee John Schweickert said the expansion was acceptable, “As long as there’s an agreement (with other businesses) there will be music on different nights.”

Trustee Jim Schrader didn’t oppose the modification but did ask about construction.

“We would like to see it done-done,” Schrader said.

Luke Goucher, one of the petitioners, said the contractor will return in April and construction will be completed at the end of that month, certainly by the first of May.

Trustees Debbie Krizel and Mary Pawlak voted no, believing the music and expanded hours would tempt patrons to migrate into the streets with open containers.

Utica also is getting a tattoo parlor.

The Village Board voted 6-0 to expand the zoning ordinance to include tattoo and piercing parlors and then granted a petition to open one at 142 Mill St.

The request came from petitioners Paul Gilbertson, the proposed tenant, and Dale Senica, owner of the property. The Utica Planning Commission had recommended the petitions be approved.