FREEHOLD – No testimony was presented during the June 14 meeting of the Planning Board when an application seeking approval to use a property on Hudson Street as a valet parking lot was once again before the board.
The hearing was adjourned at the request of the attorney who is representing business owners who object to the application. The board voted to carry the application to July 12.
Exquisite Caterers is seeking approval from the board to use a parcel on Hudson Street as a valet parking lot for the vehicles of guests who attend events at the Aurum banquet hall in the Market Yard.
Previous hearings on the application were held on March 22, April 26 and May 24.
Attorney Edward Liston represents the owners of Main Street businesses which back up to the Market Yard parking lot, including the Metropolitan Cafe, the American Hotel, Federici’s and the Court Jester.
The objecting business owners do not agree with the premise that having a valet parking lot available for the Aurum banquet facility will improve the parking situation in the Market Yard.
Supporters of the valet parking lot on Hudson Street believe its use will alleviate parking difficulties in the Market Yard, and by extension, Freehold Borough.
The applicant’s representatives have testified that the Hudson Street lot has 71 parking spaces, which exceeds the space requirement for a banquet hall, which is 55.
Attorney John Giunco, who represents the applicant, has said his client has an obligation to provide valet parking under the terms of an approval granted by the Borough Council for the construction and operation of the Aurum banquet hall in the Market Yard. The operator of the banquet hall has testified that no other suitable site was found for valet parking.
