HOWELL – Calgo Gardens was brought before the Zoning Board because they were holding classes and doing other business on their property, but the board allowed them to continue.
Zoning determines how you are allowed to use your property. The Zoning Board hears testimony to see if you are complying with the rules, or if it is in the town’s best interest to allow a change of use.
Engineer Brian P. Murphy provided an overview of the Adelphia-Farmingdale Road property, which he said spans 6.5 acres and is located in an Agricultural Rural Estate (ARE-2) zone. The site contains multiple structures, including a barn, numerous greenhouses, and sheds. Much of the discussion focused on the retail area alongside the roadway.
The improvements made without prior approval included a transparent glass greenhouse exclusively dedicated to plant cultivation, the addition of new walkways, the installation of a farm-use shed positioned near the property center for equipment storage, and a proposed generator to be located on the west side of the main building between the greenhouse and the main structure. Calgo Gardens sought permission to relocate a trash enclosure from the west parking lot to a concealed spot behind the greenhouses.
A yurt, initially intended to be near the main building, has already been relocated to a more centralized area of the site. The applicants also justified additional uses on the property.
“The site was originally approved for farm use, the landscape business that operates out of the site,” said Murphy. “There’s a gift shop, yoga and wellness classes, the Tulip Tree Café, and numerous classes and events.”
An aerial view of Calgo Gardens. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
Speaking on behalf of Calgo’s owners Mark and Penny Estomin, attorney Harvey York opened the presentation by apologizing for some of his clients’ past actions, emphasizing they were not deliberate acts of wrongdoing.
York admitted that the Estomins failed to address specific deficiencies outlined in prior zoning board resolutions related to their property. He also acknowledged that his clients had undertaken certain actions that likely necessitated additional permits.
“There is nothing vicious or malicious about my client’s actions,” said York. “It’s a mom and pop operation trying to survive in an unusual economy where people in the landscape world tend not to have large tracts of land farms with greenhouses. They tend to be a Mr. Lowe’s and a Mr. Home Depot, not this type of operation.”
Neighbors, loyal customers, and other farmers rallied behind Calgo Gardens. Supporters said the farm has partnered with the community, such as a local school and the Rotary Club.
Some of the educational initiatives include classes on hydroponics, plant cultivation, beekeeping, and birdhouse building, as well as cooking experiences.
New additions to the site include a Reiki room for massage and aromatherapy, which Murphy said aligns with the health and wellness category previously approved by the board. These activities primarily occur during evening hours to minimize interference with the main operation. Calgo Gardens organizes farm-to-table dinners several times a year. The latest addition is photography services. Murphy asserted that all of these activities were considered consistent with the site’s prior categories and its role in supporting the local community.
Calgo Gardens hosts non-profit events on the site, with an arts festival as the most significant. The business works with a neighboring school and VFW for parking overflow. They intend to hire police to oversee traffic direction and assist pedestrians in safe crossing.
Zoning Board Engineer Charles Cunliffe and Planner Sam Avakian agreed that the additional activities to the property were appropriate to the zoned area. However, they revealed and questioned the appropriateness of Susan Estomin providing on-site counseling sessions.
“We don’t view that as health and wellness,” said Avakian. “We view that as a health care facility and medical center. She’s doing individuals, family, and couples counseling.”
Although some are done by telephone, the frequency of the counseling sessions could suggest commercial use rather than farm activity. The board professionals left it to the zoning officials to decide.
Pamela J. Herzenberg of Tinton Falls was the first member of the public to speak on behalf of Calgo Gardens. She said she first met the owners when they owned property in Lakewood and referred to herself as a second-generation patron.
The Zoning Board unanimously approved the application submitted by Calgo Gardens. (Photo by Stephanie Faughnan)
“I admire very much how they’ve made improvements to the property and how they operate the property,” shared Herzenberg. “I have attended many classes there, including one about deer management, which you don’t necessarily find available.”
Herzenberg said she was extremely impressed by the owners’ dedication toward community engagement and teaching people to be better stewards of their property.
Janice Iwanyk, a resident of Howell for 40 years, referred to the premises as immaculate and offering a great sense of peace. She said it was a place where people could enjoy lunch, shop for plants and gifts, and simply bask in the charming ambiance.
Howell resident Idina Artale emphasized the value it has added to the community. Her experience there sparked a desire for a career change. At 45 years old, she now envisions becoming a farmer as a new direction in life.
The Zoning Board approved the changes, with some members expressing their plans to visit the local business personally.
The post Farm’s Side Businesses Approved appeared first on Jersey Shore Online.
