FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — The building people knew as the Applegate Farm ice cream parlor on West Main Street (Route 537) will soon become a bakery and gelato business operated by the Del Ponte family.
Vincent Del Ponte has been in the baking business for years, following generations of his ancestors. The bakery will be coming to Freehold Township with the promise of a full line of baked goods, and the business will also offer gelato for sale.
The current owner of the property, William Grieco of Three G’s Properties LLC, New Providence, appeared at the July 25 meeting of the Freehold Township Zoning Board of Adjustment.
Grieco sought an interpretation/use variance to determine whether the proposed bakery and gelato facility met the conditions of an existing variance or whether a new approval for the use would be required.
The building that was constructed to resemble a barn previously housed the Applegate Farm ice cream parlor. That business has closed.
Following 90 minutes of testimony, board members gave a thumbs-up to Del Ponte, the contract purchaser, by granting a use variance for the bakery to operate in the former ice cream store.
A motion was made to approve the application based on certain conditions, including that the bakery’s sign conform to the township ordinance.
Attorney Gerald Sonnenblick represented Grieco and introduced Del Ponte, architect Michael Savarese and planner Allison Coffin to the board.
Grieco bought the property in 2004 and started Applegate Farm, which sold ice cream and some baked goods. The business closed in 2012 due to declining revenue, he said. In addition to the ice cream parlor that operated on the first floor, Applegate Farm had a party room on the second floor.
Township Planner Thomas A. Thomas said in a report that in his opinion the proposed bakery would require a D-1 use variance because bakeries and ice cream parlors are different uses.
He added that “from a general planning perspective, however, a bakery and an ice cream parlor are both specialty food stores and are generally permitted uses in this zone.”
Thomas’ report states that the bakery would not be a more intensive use than the ice cream parlor and that the proposed use “is not out of character within the existing neighborhood or the P-2 zone already on West Main Street.”
Thomas said the conversion of the second floor party room into a food preparation area will reduce the peak parking demand at the location.
Coffin said she did not believe the new business would pose a negative impact to the neighborhood or to the master plan.
She said the uses for the business would be “shifting ratios” of product uses. Applegate Farm sold ice cream and a small amount of baked goods. The new business will feature more bakery products and the sale of gelato.
Coffin said the parking that is provided would be more than sufficient for five employees and patrons.
During his testimony, Del Ponte said his family has been in the bakery business for generations. He said his son, Pasquale, will run the Freehold Township operation. Hours of operation are expected to be 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. for retail sales. Baking will be done on the second floor.
The building will be painted tan with a black roof, which board members agreed will be attractive. Landscaping and buffers will be provided. After granting the approval, the board members welcomed Del Ponte to Freehold Township.
Letters to the editor may be emailed to gmntnews@gmnews.com. Please include a daytime telephone number where the author may be reached for verification. Letters should be limited to 250 words and may be edited for length, grammar, content and libelous statements. Your Turn guest columns should be limited to 750 words.