[This transcript was generated automatically from audio using AI and hasn't been reviewed by a person -- it can contain mistakes, including plausible-sounding sentences that were never actually said. Treat it as a starting point, not a verbatim record.]

[0:00] That's right. I forgot you're not in Alaska this year in Germany. Two, two, two, two, family still with you. Okay, we are alive. Lauren, you want to take us away, please? Yes, this is a meeting of the Lakewood Township Committee for July 8th, 2026. This is a special meeting adequate notice of this meeting has been provided to the press and posting the municipal building. According to the provisions of the Open Public Meeting Act and JSA 10 colon 4-6, it was also published in the
[0:30] the Township Legal Notices on June 29th, 2026.
[0:34] The special meeting of the Township Committee
[0:36] is for the purpose of hearing an objection
[0:37] to the renewal of plenary retail consumption license.
[0:41] 1514-33-048-001, which is Lake Terrace Manager, LLC.
[0:47] The public is welcome to participate using LEBECS
[0:50] by either computer, which is audio visual,
[0:52] or by phone, which is audio only.
[0:54] The phone number is 408-418-9388.
[0:57] The meaning ID and password is 263-1-139-5454.
[1:05] All participants will be muted upon entry, but may participate by using the Star 3 if
[1:09] using the phone to raise your hand or by clicking the raise hand button to be recognized
[1:13] via computer.
[1:15] Comments may also be emailed to comments at Lakewood-NJ.gov.
[1:18] This meeting is live streamed and recorded at Town Hall streams at https-townallstreams.com.
[1:23] Thank you much.
[1:24] We have a roll call please.
[1:25] there's. Mayor Coles. Here.
[1:27] Deputy Mayor Miller. Yeah.
[1:30] Committeeman Lichtenstein. There.
[1:32] Committeeman Ackerman. Yeah.
[1:35] Committeewoman Fuentes. Here.
[1:37] Also present is how to attorney Stephen C care.
[1:41] Municipal manager Patrick Donnelly.
[1:45] Mayor before we begin my day is the attorney's
[1:47] then to their appearance starting with the object.
[1:49] Director. Certainly. Good afternoon, everybody. Vincent Delicchio, R.C. Cheyne Associates,
[1:56] on behalf of 1650 Oak Street LLC. Thank you. Good afternoon, Matthew Ferevanti, the
[2:02] law firm of G.R. Dan O'Heller and C.S. Law on behalf of the applicant, Lake Tyrus Manager
[2:07] LLC. Thank you both very much. Good afternoon, Adam Feffer, co-counsel on the
[2:14] off of Lake Terrorist Manager. Thank you. Okay, can we all please rise and salute the flag please?
[2:29] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for
[2:35] which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
[2:46] Lauren, do you have a brief prayer today? Yes, I do. Heavenly Father, you
[2:51] to give you our thanks for their many blessings. We ask for their blessings upon this township committee and all those in authority so that they may serve the people.
[2:59] All this we ask in my name, amen.
[3:02] Thank you.
[3:03] Okay, Lauren, you want to lay out the ground rules?
[3:06] Yes.
[3:07] This is hearing for the objection to the renewal of the liquor license for 1514, 3030, 48001, which is Lake Terrace Manager.
[3:15] Each side will have four minutes to present their case and a two minutes for a rebuttal.
[3:20] Thank you. I also want to recognize that we did receive letters from both sides. They have
[3:25] been entered into the record and everybody in the Tasha committee has reviewed them. With that,
[3:29] we'll open the hearing who wants to go first. The objective should go first because the
[3:33] a burden of proof is on them. Okay. Yes. That's it. Take it away. All right, so good afternoon,
[3:40] everybody. So at its core, this matter is pretty straightforward. Tasha is being asked to renew
[3:46] will liquor license for a property that at our opinion, as it exists today, does not
[3:50] have the requisite approvals to legally function as a banquet hall. As I'm sure everybody
[3:56] is familiar with the history, but a brief run through back in 2005, this property was originally
[4:01] approved as a school with an accessory assembly hall. About five years later, they got a liquor
[4:07] license. A lot of that is contained in our objection later was based off of a couple representations,
[4:12] which we're not holding the accurate, such as the fact that it was not approved as a catering facility,
[4:18] such as the fact that it was located within 200 feet of the Binance Brook School,
[4:22] and such as the fact that it failed to list all of the businesses operating out of there,
[4:26] listed only Greenwald Caterers, not the other ones that were operating out of there.
[4:39] Secondly, as we all know, the property did seek a use variance a few years back.
[4:44] They sought that use variance specifically because of banquet hall is not permitted in
[4:48] the M1 zone.
[4:49] That was emitted by the applicant that was found by the board that was found by the board
[4:53] engineer.
[4:54] So there's no dispute on that.
[4:56] And third, a use variance was ultimately granted in 2024 that approval is being challenged
[5:01] and Superior Court. More importantly, though, as it stands right now, there's been no
[5:07] letter of completeness issue. The resolution compliance on the use variance remains outstanding.
[5:12] There hasn't been a zoning permit issued based on that use variance and those subsequent
[5:17] CO based on that zoning permit. So as of right now, they're holding an unperfected approval
[5:25] which for our purposes here today is no approval. At the moment, the property does not have
[5:31] have what it requires to operate at a banquet hall, which means for your purposes that
[5:38] a liquor license is currently being used in connection with a use that is not yet lawfully
[5:42] established.
[5:45] So in our position here, it would be for one, premature for the committee to consider
[5:54] renewing this liquor license, A, while the proceedings are still pending before the
[6:00] for your court and as I'm sure you're aware of the ABC as well, but more importantly
[6:03] certainly before they complete the resolution compliance and obtain the
[6:10] requisites, the requisite approvals. Certainly, if the committee does never the
[6:15] last choose to renew this, I would just ask that the committee's reasoning be
[6:25] I explained as far as to do you believe that the existence of his zoning permit is somehow
[6:31] not applicable to this property's ability to operate because it is certainly our position
[6:39] that it is and I believe that all the land use treatises and law would be in agreement
[6:44] with us on that.
[6:47] So without needing to take the rest of the 51 seconds, we would ask that you not renew
[6:53] this. Is it appreciate that, um, Adam? Matthew, do you want to
[6:58] rebutter? You want to start with your four minutes? Yeah, um, I, I'll take it
[7:04] from here, Adam. Um, Matthew, four minutes. This is on my four minutes.
[7:10] Okay, thank you. I won't take four minutes, though, because I'll, it'll be less.
[7:15] Um, Matthew, fear of on to on behalf of the applicant. I just want to focus on what
[7:20] What this committee's standard of review is, because it's not set forth in the Objectors
[7:24] Challenge, NJAC 13 colon 1-12.1 sets forth the grounds for the denial of an application
[7:32] or the refusal to renew a license.
[7:37] A 20-year litany or recitation of the land used background of this property or an erroneous
[7:45] assertion that the applicant does not, as we stand today, have a valid land use approved
[7:50] will to operate this does not constitute a ground for the denial of a renewable license.
[7:56] It's not one of the enumerated grounds that is set forth in the administrative code.
[8:02] That's probably why the objector doesn't cite to the relevant regulation in its objection.
[8:10] We dispute the contention that the property owner does not have a valid and enforceable land
[8:17] use approval. There is no stay of that resolution, notwithstanding the fact that it's currently
[8:23] the subject of litigation, the Superior Court. Quite simply, there is no ground presented
[8:30] by the subjector to justify the denial of this application, and we would request that
[8:35] the committee renew the license. Lastly, there is no requirement that this committee set forth
[8:41] with any kind of written decision as to why it's going to renew the license or reject
[8:47] the objectors challenge. There is no requirement under the law for that. We simply request
[8:54] that this committee does what it's done for the past several years, not with staying the
[8:59] same exact arguments previously made and renew this license. I thank you for your time
[9:04] this afternoon.
[9:13] Thank you.
[9:13] I don't have the time to be
[9:14] said.
[9:15] It's two minutes Jason.
[9:18] Thanks for being honest with me.
[9:20] You've got to go away with that.
[9:23] I don't think I'll need the
[9:24] more so.
[9:28] You've heard that the there's
[9:31] no stay on the resolution.
[9:33] You've heard that.
[9:35] The grounds for renewal.
[9:37] We're not excited. What you didn't hear is any dispute as to the fact that this property did not do its resolution compliance, does not have its zoning permit, does not have its CO.
[9:46] You didn't hear anything about that. And it's for the simple reason that it doesn't. It's an imperfected approval right now.
[9:53] Certainly, you cannot go getting approval for a site plan and then turn around and build
[10:01] the project before you've gotten your compliance.
[10:03] You can't get approval for a use and start undertaking that use before you have gone
[10:09] through your compliance.
[10:10] And that's particularly relevant here because the lessons that you are being asked to renew
[10:17] It goes simply well beyond your ability to renew it, it is not used right now, that is
[10:25] functioning in a legally cognizable way to this township.
[10:30] And therefore, awarding it a renewal of a liquor license for that very use that is
[10:35] not legally cognizable to this township right now would be beyond the board's power and
[10:42] It should frankly not be not be under taken here today, so I have with.
[10:48] Thank you very much appreciate that. Steve question. Do I need to open this hearing to the public for comment on this or is that done under the public comment?
[10:55] I would say that comes later. Let me just say that it's now Mr. Fiovite's turn. If he has a so-called model so to speak, he has had the additional two minutes to respond to Mr. Delricchio.
[11:06] And I, it's my opinion as sort of being the judge here that all this takes is a yes or no vote
[11:14] or an out and vote. It's not, this committee is not a land use board, but a review the conditions
[11:19] of a liquor license. So Matthew, do you have anything you want to do in rebuttal to Mr. Del
[11:25] Rickios? Sure, very, very briefly. There is no, there's no authority for the proposition
[11:32] that and quote, unperfected land use approval, end quote, somehow justifies or provides a basis to deny a license renewal.
[11:42] No authority has been presented by the objector in its written submission. No authority has been presented or cited this afternoon.
[11:49] Not only is there no authority, it's simply incorrect. We have a land use and site plan approval and we are now permitted to use this property formally as a banquet hall.
[12:01] And the fact that the land owner is going through the process to obtain the necessary compliance does not stop this committee from renewing the license.
[12:11] It's that simple. Thank you for your time.
[12:13] Mayor in response to your question, I would suggest that you open this now to the public in case any of the public as a comment on whether or not this license should be reviewed.
[12:21] We heard the man is there anybody online who would like to be heard on this?
[12:28] I assume nobody was checking emails, not my texts.
[12:33] There are no emails that have been received on this, so I'm going to close the public hearing.
[12:40] Lauren, you want to go with the consent agenda, please?
[12:42] Yes, the resolution you have before you is a resolution to either approve or deny the renewal.
[12:49] I'll read the entire resolution as an approval.
[12:51] You can make a decision if you want to vote for that.
[12:54] It would be emotional with a denial, sorry about that resolution.
[13:03] So the first is it's resolution 2026-253 resolution of the Township of Lakewood County
[13:08] of Ocean State and New Jersey regarding Renewal Plenary Retail Consumption License 1514-3030-484-8-0-0-1
[13:13] for Lake Terrace Manager, LLC, whereas Lake Terrace Manager LLC situated at 1690 Oak Street Lake
[13:19] with New Jersey, 08701 is a holder of a plenary retail consumption license from 1514-333-048-001.
[13:27] And whereas an application has been filed by Lake Terrace Manager LLC for the purpose of renewing,
[13:31] plenary retail consumption license 1514-1330-48-001.
[13:35] And whereas that applicant has complied with all the requirements sent forth an NJSA-33-1-SAC,
[13:41] and NJAC-13-2-3.1-SAC.
[13:45] and whereas no objections have been received from the Lakewood Police Department and the inspection
[13:49] department has required, and whereas a timely objection was received on June 25th, 2026 to the
[13:55] renewal of the above mentioned license by the adjacent property owner 1650 Oak Street LLC,
[14:00] and whereas a hearing was conducted on July 8th, 2026 in regards to set objection and whereas
[14:06] based on the information presented during the above reference hearing, the township of the committee,
[14:11] the township of Lakewood County
[14:13] Votion and State of New Jersey has found that.
[14:15] I'm reading in the affirmative first.
[14:17] The allegation set forth in the subject
[14:19] and were not sustained.
[14:20] And the objection is hereby dismissed.
[14:22] Therefore, the renewal of the Lake Terrace Manager
[14:24] LLC plenary retail consumption license
[14:26] number 1514-3030-48001
[14:29] licensed situated 1690
[14:31] Oak Street, New Jersey Lakewood, New Jersey 08701
[14:35] should be approved.
[14:36] Now, therefore, be resolved by the township committee
[14:38] of the township of Lakewood County Votion City
[14:40] New Jersey that the allegations in the objection filed of the renewal of the leak
[14:43] terrorist manager. LLC Planner Retail Consumption number 151430408-001 are found to have been
[14:49] unsubstantiated. The objection can be and is hereby dismissed in the leak terrorist manager LLC.
[14:56] Planner Retail Consumption license number 1514304048-0016.
[15:00] In 90 oak Street, Lake New Jersey, 07, 01 license renewal can be and hereby is approved via further
[15:06] resolve that the certified copy of this resolution shall be provided to all parties of interest.
[15:11] Thank you Dave Bruth, what do all that means is that a yes vote means that you're in favor of renewing the lice.
[15:17] With that obviously, let's get it on motion and a second.
[15:23] motion by Debbie. By Debbie, thank you very much. Okay. I'll wait for a second. Then I'll say my piece.
[15:31] All right, so second by Isaac. Any discussion? Isaac you have the. I just I just wanted to put it
[15:36] on the record that my door school is next door to this property. And I had spoken to Steve Seeker before
[15:40] the meeting. And I asked him if it's still okay for me to vote on this. And he said in his opinion
[15:46] it is. I just wanted to bring it up in case any of the objectives have an issue with it.
[15:53] We have a motion in a second. No other discussion.
[15:57] Don't we have a roll call, please?
[15:59] Miracles. Yes.
[16:01] Get me a mere Miller. Yes.
[16:04] Committeeman Lichtenstein. Yes.
[16:07] Committeeman Ackerman. Yes.
[16:11] Committeewoman Debra Fuentes. Yes.
[16:14] Motion carries to approve the renewal of the liquor license.
[16:20] I'm going to open the meeting to the public. Is there anybody online who would like to be heard?
[16:29] Seeing nobody, we have received no emails for this today. So I'm going to close the public comment.
[16:34] We have any comments from committee members who
[16:39] take this early opportunity to remind folks that we have rescheduled our 4th
[16:43] of July fireworks with next Thursday July 16th at 8.45pm. Hopefully the objectors and everybody else will come and just get together and have some fun with us.
[16:53] That being said, I'll take a motion to adjourn.
[16:58] So made.
[16:59] Moved by Manage.
[17:01] Second by Debbie.
[17:02] All in favor?
[17:03] Aye.
[17:03] Aye.
[17:04] Any opposed?
[17:05] We're adjourned.
[17:06] Thank you very much for your time this afternoon.
[17:08] Thank you.
[17:09] Thanks, everybody.