Rivian Eyes Patio.com Site in Water Mill as Charging Station

Representatives of Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer whose high-end pickup trucks and SUVs have become a regular sight on East End roads, approached the Southampton Town Planning Board on Thursday, March 28, about transforming the Patio.com store at the corner of Montauk Highway and County 39 in Water Mill into a charging station and lounge for its customers.

Justin Ackerman of Rivian said the company, like Tesla before it, was trying to expand its footprint by opening charging stations at locations around the country. He said the company wanted to install six charging stations and transform the building to “where it’s Rivian-branded” and customers can buy “grab-and-go snacks,” water, and other merchandise.

Because it takes 25 to 45 minutes to charge a vehicle, Ackerman said Rivian wanted to provide a safe place where the children of customers could play during the wait.

Although the business would not be a dealership, per se — Rivian has focused on direct-to-consumer sales through its website — Ackerman said up to four test models would be kept on site. “We won’t have inventory on site,” he said. “We will have ‘drive’ vehicles for customers who have scheduled drives ahead of time.”

Although Ackerman said the company would like to display the vehicles in the driveway, planners did not seem enthused about that idea.

Planning Board member Glorian Berk said the location, at the place where traffic turns off Montauk Highway to County Road 39, was troublesome.

“I think that is an incredibly dangerous spot to have a convenience store,” she said, suggesting that access and egress be limited because eastbound vehicles trying to enter the property would cause bottlenecks.

Board Chairwoman Jacqui Lofaro said Rivian would be well-advised to landscape the property. “You have an opportunity to do some beautiful landscaping,” she said. “It’s an important corner, and it’s very unattractive.”

Planners also questioned whether the use should be categorized as an auto dealership, but board member Thackoor Mootoo said it most closely resembled a gas station with a convenience store, given that Rivian was not planning to sell or repair vehicles at the site.

They suggested that Rivian should apply to the Southampton Town Zoning Board of Appeals to see if it would be allowed to display vehicles in front of the building.

The board took no action on the application, tabling it until Rivian completed a formal application.