Stop & Shop representatives this week formally presented plans for a substantial expansion of the company’s grocery store in Edgartown, including a 16,000-square-foot addition, increased parking and revised traffic circulation on Upper Main street.

The plan presented to the town planning board at a public hearing Tuesday night also calls for nearly 60 new parking spaces, demolition of the Edgartown National Bank branch next door, and relocating the Stop & Shop pharmacy from its present location at the Triangle to the main store building. The current store is about 25,000 square feet. It was last renovated in 1989.

Plan would add 16,000 square feet to store with more parking and changed traffic flow.

Plan would add 16,000 square feet to store with more parking and changed traffic flow.

Project manager and planner Lisa Davis said the goal is to modernize and improve the store.

Preliminary expansion plans were first presented about a year ago, calling for an 11,320-square-foot addition. On Tuesday, Stop & Shop representatives said they have spent the last year revising plans after hearing from the planning board and board of health and meeting with staff members from the Martha’s Vineyard Commission.

The plan will require review by the commission as a development of regional impact (DRI), but the process will be handled somewhat differently. Early this year, MVC executive director Adam Turner outlined what he called a collaborative approach to the public process, involving hearings at the town level first, with formal referral to the commission later.

A traffic study being done by the engineering firm VHB is under way, with results expected in time for the next public hearing, scheduled for Dec. 6.

Preliminary concerns about the Edgartown plan have centered on Upper Main street, which sees heavy traffic and congestion during the summer. Those concerns were also raised Tuesday.

“The entire board here is concerned about traffic and parking in the most congested area in town,” board chairman Alan Wilson said on Tuesday night.

Plans call for adding a florist and expanded natural foods area, a larger bakery, a seafood area triple the size of what currently exists, and new administrative offices.

Total parking will be increased to about 200 spaces. Another loading dock would also be added.

The Stop & Shop pharmacy at the Triangle will be closed and relocated to the expanded grocery store.

The store would remain open during construction, Ms. Davis said, which is planned take place during the off-season.

Parking and traffic are key issues.

Mark Lovewell

Parking and traffic are key issues.

Mark Lovewell

Plans for the exterior of the store, designed by Island-based architect Chuck Sullivan, include adding a second entrance/exit on the north side. Other exterior changes include altering dormers and adding new materials, including bricks, and a solid trim to make it blend in with downtown Edgartown, Mr. Sullivan said.

Pedestrian foot paths are planned, and the exit on the northwest wide of the store will be changed to align it with Pinehurst Road.

The brick Edgartown National Bank branch next door will be demolished to accommodate the new traffic flow.

Comments on Tuesday night reflected sentiment both for and against the expansion.

“I support a new Stop & Shop in Edgartown,” said Jim Carter, who owns the Clarion Hotel next door. “I think that would be a wonderful asset for the town.” But noting that his hotel lot is often used for overflow parking, he questioned whether the parking plan is ample enough. “Adding 15,000 square feet and adding only 60 new parking spaces, I don’t think that’s adequate,” he said.

Several neighbors raised concern about noise, especially from refrigerated trucks.

“The noise and lighting issues for us are going to increase substantially,” Upper Main street resident Don Angus said.

Edgartown selectman Michael Donaroma urged the planning board to make the project work and address concerns. “The selectmen think this is an important project, the biggest one town has ever seen and will see for awhile,” he said.

He continued: “The selectmen basically support you guys doing the hard job of trying to make this work . . . . I don’t want to be like Vineyard Haven and kill a project. I think you guys have a lot of work to do and glad to see you do, it’s going to make a big difference in the town . . . . I think it’s something needed and we all want.”

Stop & Shop operates more than 375 stores throughout New England.

In 2014 plans to expand the Vineyard Haven store were withdrawn after a drawn-out, contentious review process with the town and the commission.