# 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.
- Title: Royal Farms market approved for Annapolis intersection
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: royal farms, two farms, annapolis, planning commission, forest drive, tyler avenue, gas station, fresh market, development approval, traffic concerns, climate emissions, news
- Source: The Banner — https://thebanner.com/economy/growth-development/annapolis-fresh-market-approved-royal-farms-UAI7E3ATHVHTXCXIPCNEMDW7SY
- Author: Cody Boteler
- Published: 2026-09-18T19:00:21.959+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: royal farms, two farms, annapolis, planning commission, forest drive, tyler avenue, gas station, fresh market, development approval, traffic concerns, climate emissions, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

The project will transform a vacant lot into a mixed-use development, but concerns about traffic, emissions, and 24/7 operations remain.