Beachwood land use board approves use variance for Freedom Firearms LLC at 1800 Double Trouble Road

The Borough of Beachwood Land Use Board voted May 11 to approve Application #2025-015 from Freedom Firearms LLC, allowing a retail gun shop to remain at 1800 Double Trouble Road and granting related use variances for a greenhouse, farm‑cart/farm‑stand operation, and a used‑car‑dealership designation limited to insurance/licensing purposes.

Board Chairman Paul Swindell presided over the hearing. Attorney Anthony Pagano presented the application and engineer Michael Intile testified that the applicant proposes to retain the existing two‑story gun shop, continue an on‑site canoe rental operation operating eight buses, and add a greenhouse and limited dealership designation. Intile distributed a site exhibit showing wetlands, existing structures and requested uses and said the proposed lot coverage would be 10.9%, below the 30% maximum. He said detailed stormwater and septic plans will be provided at the site‑plan stage.

Owner Apostolakos, sworn as a witness, said there will be no manufacturing of firearms on site and that ammunition would be stored in a secured portion of the proposed building. He described the dealership designation as a licensing/insurance convenience to permit uninsured seasonal vehicles to remain on the property, not as an intention to sell vehicles. "Only firearms permitted under state law would be sold," Apostolakos said. Board Attorney Kelsey McGuckin stated for the record that the record reflects there will be no discharge of firearms associated with the retail gun shop.

Board members asked about public access and safety: Intile and Apostolakos said the retail gun shop and greenhouse would be open to the public, the site currently uses 16 cameras and the new facility would include a sprinkler system and a new septic to replace portable toilets. The Board Engineer, Mathew Wilder, flagged outstanding issues for the site‑plan stage, including stormwater management, potential wetlands buffer expansion under Pinelands Commission review, site security, and the risk that a future property sale could change how a dealership designation was used.

Vice Chairman Abramski moved to approve the application; Mr. Mandica seconded. The motion passed by roll call; the members present voted in favor and Councilman Prince and Mr. Wrocklage were recorded as absent. The approval pertains to use variances only; the applicant must return for formal site‑plan approvals and any Pinelands Commission permits required. The Board also approved minutes from its April 13, 2026 meeting with a correction noted.

Next steps: Freedom Firearms LLC must submit a site plan addressing stormwater, parking (engineer testimony identified 18 parking spaces to be shown), septic and any Pinelands conditions. The Board record indicates signage and dealership licensing requirements will be governed by state rules and may be revisited during site‑plan or licensing review.