From The Banner · Cody Boteler · · 2m
Royal Farms market approved for Annapolis intersection
Planning Commission conditionally approves a gas station and fresh market at Forest and Tyler, but cuts the number of pumps in half.
In brief
Planning Commission conditionally approves a gas station and fresh market at Forest and Tyler, but cuts the number of pumps in half. The project will transform a vacant lot into a mixed-use development, but concerns about traffic, emissions, and 24/7 operations remain. Originally reported by The Banner.
Royal Farms market gets conditional approval
Annapolis Planning Commission approved a Royal Farms gas station and fresh market at Forest Drive and Tyler Avenue on Thursday night, with conditions.
Commission cuts gas pumps in half
Planners reduced the number of gas pumps from 10 to 6, cutting fueling points from 20 to 12. The developer said 8 pumps would be feasible.
Market includes fresh food and retail
The 5,700-square-foot fresh market will offer produce, coffee, prepared foods including sushi and salads, plus two additional retail spaces and eight EV charging stations.
Site has been vacant for a decade
Residents testified that the Forest and Tyler intersection has been a blighted eyesore for about 10 years with no serious business proposals until now.
“This location has been a blight for about a decade. No one else has come up with a real, serious business plan for it.”
Traffic and pollution concerns raised
Neighbors worried about 24/7 operations, increased traffic on busy Forest Drive, and noise and light pollution. Some commissioners wanted more traffic safety data.
“The big issue here is the gas station. The food's OK. I like fried chicken.”
Project conflicts with climate goals
Alderman Rob Savidge said the plan runs against the city's climate commitments, citing fuel sales and uncalculated fossil fuel emissions, plus the lack of housing.
Local produce business backs the plan
Abigail Diehl, who runs a local produce business, said she's in discussions with Two Farms to supply the market and that projects like this support smaller community businesses.
Two Farms investing 10 to 15 million
The Baltimore-based parent company of Royal Farms will invest between 10 and 15 million dollars to develop the property, with complementary retail spaces still to be determined.
“This will turn a pretty rough piece of property into a jewel for the neighborhood.”
Approval comes with two key conditions
Trees removed must be replaced at a 3-to-1 ratio, and if the market stops offering fresh food and produce, the developer must return to city staff for approval.
The key point
The project will transform a vacant lot into a mixed-use development, but concerns about traffic, emissions, and 24/7 operations remain.
