The 8,600-square-foot expansion to the rear of Bed Bath & Beyond at 3414 U.S. Highway 190 was approved by the Mandeville Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday night.

Store officials said the expansion will increase the store to 40,000 square feet and add a new retail department inside the building.

The expansion involves the rear section of the building to be extended out and over the existing service drive. A new service drive will then be constructed alongside the city drainage servitude that lies between the Premier Center’s property line and the Botanica apartments. Two utility poles would also have to be set underground. Before approving the expansion, the commission consulted with Fire Protection District 4 to make sure no safety issues would arise with the added square feet.

Fire officials approved of the plans but suggested an extra fire hydrant be added to the rear of the building to better accommodate fire needs. Project Manager Richard Cyr with Stirling Properties acknowledged the suggestion.

Another concern of the commission was the lack of a barrier between the apartment complex and Bed Bath & Beyond. They approved the build but under the condition a bamboo hedge be installed to reduce the visual hindrance presented to the residents of the apartment complex.

Although the build was approved, Cyr said it would be a while before construction began.

Another item the commission voted on was the division of two plots of land on 130 Lamarque St.

Owner Jeff Robertson requested to divide the lots into smaller lots to increase their selling potential.

Several residents of the area protested against the divide, claiming down-sizing the lots would lead to smaller homes being built, ultimately diminishing the historic image of the Lakefront.

The commission denied his request to divide the lots.