Brinkmann’s Hardware, which owns six locations across Long Island, is in contract to purchase a building on Pantigo Road in East Hampton, where it hopes to open its next store adjacent to Domaine Franey Wines and Spirits.
Its representatives were in front of the East Hampton Town Planning Board last week with an application to convert over 13,000 square feet that has most recently been used as office space, to a retail use. Decades ago, from the mid-1970s until 1986, the spot was a Gristedes supermarket.
East Hampton Town Code requires a “formula” business to apply for a special permit, but it defines a formula business as one having 15 or more locations; Brinkmann’s does not meet that definition and therefore doesn’t require a special permit.
Apart from the change of use, the hardware chain’s owners would change the facade of the building, add a covered entrance, a garden center, and a propane tank filling station to the 1.5acre property. The current parking lot would expand by one spot, to 86.
“The chain was started in 1976 by the Brinkmann family and is still independently owned by the Brinkmann family,” Alice Cooley, the lawyer speaking for the Brinkmanns, told the board.
For the most part, the planning board seemed happy with the application.
“I do appreciate this building’s reuse,” said Bruce Siska, a board member. “I was there on site today and there’s nothing going on with that building. Nothing. So, I appreciate you guys coming in and cleaning up this site.”
A few issues were batted around: lighting, the need for a better landscape plan, screening the under-construction residences at the adjacent Cantwell Court; circulation in the large parking lot, which would see addition of three handicapped-accessible spots; a dumpster and propane tank in a setback; a minor discrepancy in square footage, and stormwater runoff.
Lou Cortese, a board member, said the retailer should upgrade the circa1973 septic system.
Ms. Cooley said Brinkmann’s is not required to do so.
Eric Schantz, a principal planner with the Planning Department, said that while a mandatory upgrade didn’t appear to be triggered, perhaps a town grant might be available to soften the blow, if the business did install a new low-nitrogen system.
“We will consider it and provide information on the existing system,” said Ms. Cooley.
However, the board did not really light up until Mr. Siska brought up the look of the place.
“I know the A.R.B. is going to take a look at it down the road, but I really don’t think this fits into the context,” he said. “When you drive from East Hampton Village to Amagansett, it’s a residential feel. There are commercial properties mixed in, but nothing to this extent.”
“I really think that elevation, increasing the height of that, I think that does not fit the character of that whole stretch of road. With the existing elevation there’s a lot of white and it stands out quite a bit. This is going to be probably double the height. The middle part’s even higher, with a lot of branding,” he continued.
“I think we need to think about that. I know the A.R.B. will, but I think we should ponder that as well.”
“It’s really not our view on this, but I would agree that the look of it looks a little out of place for Amagansett,” said Reed Jones, a board member.
“I also think that it really looks a bit too commercial, a bit too high for this particular location,” agreed Ed Krug, the chairman of the board.
Traffic was also an immediate concern. Ava Warren, another board member, referenced the businesses across the street, two delis and a beverage store, and said “On several occasions driving home from this planning board meeting, I have been in a horn match with lots of cars making illegal turns.”
“I don’t know if it’s in our purview, but any turning out of the site should be limited to westbound turning,” she added. “That lefthand turn across a two-lane Highway 27 during lunchtime in August or really any month when there’s landscaping trucks lining 27 is absolutely horrific.”
“My son got into a fender bender there this summer,” said Jennifer Fowkes, the vice chairwoman of the board. “I think that a traffic study would be a good idea.”
Brinkmann’s application was deemed incomplete. It will address the board’s concerns and return for another meeting.
