Final Decision Looms On Proposed T.J. Maxx Expansion In Bridgehampton

An application to add a Marshall’s to the T.J. Maxx store at the Bridgehampton Commons shopping center is nearing its final stages in the quest for Southampton Town approval.

The site plan application before the Planning Board calls for a 17,000-square-foot expansion of the eastern building in the shopping center, which is located on two parcels totaling approximately 30 acres. T.J. Maxx presently occupies a space of 33,000 square feet in the eastern building.

If the plan is approved, according to a proposal originally submitted in 2015, the current T.J. Maxx would be reconfigured to occupy 23,987 square feet, while the Marshall’s floor space would be 21,879 square feet. Together, the two brands—which are owned by the same parent company, TJX Companies, and often share the same storefront—would share 5,424 square feet of common space to be used for storage, delivery and shipping purposes.

According to Planning Board Chairman Dennis Finnerty, officials representing the shopping center, which is owned by Kimco Realty, have asked the board for waivers that would reduce the required number of parking spaces. The chairman noted that Bridgehampton Commons had already received parking waivers from the board when it was originally constructed.

“It sort of sticks out like a sore thumb in the Bridgehampton community,” Mr. Finnerty said. “That center is not in keeping with the character of small shops. But it is there, and they have certain rights with the expansion.”

He added, “But I think what they’re trying to achieve might be too aggressive.”

According to the town code, one parking spot per 180 square feet of gross floor area is required for retail use. Mr. Finnerty noted that some of the space from the expansion may need to be allocated for storage instead of retail space, which requires only one parking space for every 1,000 square feet. He added that a restriction to storage use only for that space could be included as a requirement if the board were to approve the expansion.

According to 2016 statistics on Kimco’s website, approximately 50,707 vehicles enter the Bridgehampton Commons parking lot every week, and the shopping center overall has approximately 7,226 vehicles visit per day. The center currently has 1,284 parking spots.

Pamela Harwood, chair of the Bridgehampton Citizens Advisory Committee, said that along with concerns about parking, the group has concerns about the overall expansion and whether it would be beneficial for Bridgehampton, as taxes from the center go toward the town, not the hamlet.

“We do not see how this benefits the community,” she said. “We see how it benefits Kimco—they will get more rent. We see how it benefits the town—they will get more taxes. The community won’t benefit from this.”

Mr. Finnerty said that unless Kimco officials request an extension, a decision on the application will likely be made in April.

Officials from Kimco did not immediately return calls seeking comment.