Another fast-food stop planned for Route 539
Business would serve paninis, wraps and salads
BY JANE MEGGITT
Staff Writer

UPPER FREEHOLD — A new take-out eatery may soon be coming to town.

At the Planning Board’s Dec. 14 meeting, the board approved a site plan waiver for a business described by its owners as an upscale fast-food take-out enterprise. Board member Doug Raynor voted against granting the waiver, which passed with a 9-1 vote.

Jake Archer and Pietro Amari appeared before the board as principals of QD Upper Freehold LLC. Archer said the take-out business is a permitted use for the property at 341 Route 539.

“We’re bringing to this community an upscale food eatery, with paninis, wraps, and salads made fresh in front of you,” Archer said.

Archer said the business would not be a sit-down eatery, while Amari said that the establishment would mostly offer takeout but would also have approximately five tables.

Amari said the business would not have dishes or silverware and would instead serve everything on “upscale plasticware.”

Archer and Amari operate a similar business in Springfield. The building where they want to locate the new business is a Cape Cod-style home with a business on the first floor and an apartment on the second. Archer said they would not change the driveway or structure of the existing building.

Archer said they would put a different facade on the building currently located on the lot. Township Committeeman Sal Diecidue noted that a new facade would have to conform to the township’s facade ordinance.

Other renovations to the existing structure would include changing the vinyl siding to a stone front and changing the pitch of the roof.

Planning Board Administrator Susan Babbitt said there are no plans to change the drainage, the lighting or the parking on the site.

The board’s attorney, Frank Armenante, said that once tables are set down in an establishment, it is considered a restaurant. While Zoning Officer Ron Gafgen may have said the use conforms to present zoning, Armenante said the owners would need to tell him if they are considering having tables.

“Tell him what you are doing concerning seating,” he said.

Archer said they would conform to whatever the zoning officer says and would try to fit their establishment into the area and also try to enhance it.

Armenante said the plan would need Board of Health approval and also noted that a change in the structure’s roofline could affect drainage.

Board member Barry Wright said he encourages the project to move forward since he feels it is the type of establishment the municipality is looking for in that area of town.

However, he told the applicants, “You have to bring before the board what it needs to know.”

According to Township Engineer Glenn Gerken, the applicants did not provide the board with a map.

During the public portion of the meeting, resident Walter Helfrecht warned the board that it should be careful in permitting such a waiver.

“If you allow one site waiver and the site itself is not up to what it should be,” he said, “it sets a precedent for others.

“If you want the community to be nice and well kept,” he continued, “it is in your jurisdiction to make sure sites are improved.”

Wright said he had no problem with the waiver if the use conforms with regulations and receives approvals from both the subcode official and the Board of Health.