Royal Farms market concept approved in Annapolis, with fewer gas pumps

The Annapolis Planning Commission conditionally approved a developer’s proposal Thursday night to bring a Royal Farms gas station and marketplace to the intersection of Forest Drive and Tyler Avenue.

The commission reduced the size of the planned gas station, cutting the number of pumps from 10, or 20 fueling points, to six, or 12 fueling points.

During the meeting, a representative for Two Farms, the Baltimore-based parent of Royal Farms, said the company would find the plan feasible if it were reduced from 10 to eight pumps.

It was not immediately clear whether the developer would find six pumps financially viable. Alan Hyatt, an attorney representing Two Farms, could not be reached Friday morning.

Aside from the gas pumps, the planned development features a 5,700-square-foot “fresh market” with grocery selections, produce, coffee and prepared foods, including sushi and salads.

The developers also proposed two additional retail spaces, one about 1,500 square feet attached to the market and one totaling 2,700 square feet across the parking lot from the market that could be subdivided. They also included eight electric vehicle charging stations.

Public testimony about the project was largely in favor of the market or grocery store concept, but opposed to the gas station — or at least its size. Many speakers agreed that the property has been a vacant “blight” for years, but had objections to the exact plans.

Blair Harrison, who lives in Annapolis Overlook, spoke in favor of the project.

“This location has been a blight for about a decade. No one else has come up with a real, serious business plan for it,” Harrison said. “They’re actually considering the needs of the community.”

Some of the testimony in opposition came from competing gas station operators or service providers.

Concept plans for the market show fresh produce displays in addition to the prepared foods — and fried chicken — that Royal Farms customers are familiar with.

A Royal Farms spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

Anastasia Hopkins, president of the Annapolis Neck Peninsula Federation, said residents were worried about the site’s 24/7 operation, as well as increased traffic and light and noise pollution.

“The big issue here is the gas station,” she said during the meeting. “The food’s OK. I like fried chicken.”

She was not alone in raising traffic or road safety concerns. Though the plan has a city-approved traffic study, some commissioners said they wanted more information about traffic safety, especially along busy Forest Drive.

George Gallagher, who said he lives about two blocks from the intersection, described it as “very congested” during the morning and evening rush hours. He said bringing 20 gas pumps would be “very harmful” to the community, but that the market and other retail at the intersection “would be a boon.”

Alderman Rob Savidge, who chairs the City Council’s Environmental Matters Committee, said in written comments submitted to the city because he couldn’t attend the meeting that he thinks the plan “runs against commitments the City has already made.”

He lamented the plan’s lack of housing and said fuel sales with uncalculated fossil fuel emissions run contrary to the city’s climate commitments and goals.

Abigail Diehl, who runs a local produce business, said during the meeting that she strongly favored the project. She said she’s in discussions with Two Farms to provide produce to the market and that projects like this can support smaller community businesses.

A representative of Two Farms testified that it would be investing between $10 million and $15 million to develop the property.

Hyatt, the attorney representing Two Farms, said the other retail options on the site were yet to be determined, but they would be “complementary” to the Royal Farms market concept.

“This will turn a pretty rough piece of property into a jewel for the neighborhood,” Hyatt said during the meeting.

The Planning Commission put two other conditions on its approval: that any trees removed must be replaced at a 3-to-1 ratio, and if the owners wanted to change the market substantially so that it no longer offered fresh food and produce, they would have to go back to city staff for approval.