FREEHOLD – An application seeking approval from the Freehold Borough Planning Board to use property on Hudson Street as a valet parking lot is scheduled to continue being heard on Sept. 27.
Previous hearings on the Exquisite Caterers application were held on March 22, April 26 and May 24. In May, the hearing was continued until June 14.
The application was not heard on June 14 because the objectors’ attorney requested an adjournment. The board adjourned the hearing until July 12.
The July 12 meeting was cancelled due to a conflict involving at least one attorney and the hearing was rescheduled for Aug. 23, according to municipal officials.
The Aug. 23 meeting was also cancelled due to conflicts with individuals involved, leading to the hearing being rescheduled for Sept. 27.
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. Nearby business owners have objected to the application.
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 valet lot has 71 parking spaces, which exceeds the space requirement for a banquet hall, which is 55 spaces.
Attorney John Giunco, who represents Exquisite Caterers, 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.
