The Annapolis Planning Commission has conditionally approved a proposal for a Royal Farms market and gas station at 1300 Forest Drive, at Tyler Avenue. The approved design allows six pumps and 12 fueling positions, compared with the 10 pumps and 20 positions in the original proposal, according to The Baltimore Banner and Eye On Annapolis.
The pump count leaves the project unresolved
Two Farms, Royal Farms' parent company, told the commission that an eight-pump arrangement would be financially feasible. The approved six-pump version therefore leaves open whether the developer will proceed with the estimated $10 million to $15 million investment, as reported by The Baltimore Banner and Eye On Annapolis. Approval of the plan does not by itself establish that construction will begin.
What the approved site plan includes
The central building would be a 5,700-square-foot Royal Farms Fresh Market with groceries, produce, coffee and prepared food. The plans also identify an attached retail area of about 1,500 square feet and a separate 2,700-square-foot building that could accommodate multiple tenants. Eight electric-vehicle charging stations are included, according to The Baltimore Banner and Eye On Annapolis.
The commission attached additional conditions to the approval. Trees removed for construction must be replaced at a three-to-one ratio. A major change that removed the market's fresh-food and produce offerings would require further city review, The Baltimore Banner reported.
Residents backed reuse of the property but questioned the station
Public testimony included support for bringing a grocery option to the corridor and putting the vacant property back into use. Speakers also raised concerns about the gas station's scale, round-the-clock operation, traffic, road safety, lighting and noise, according to Eye On Annapolis and The Baltimore Banner.
A long-vacant seafood-market site
The property has been empty since Annapolis Seafood Market closed in May 2022 after 44 years at the Forest Drive address, Patch reported. City officials have treated the parcel as a significant redevelopment opportunity, according to Eye On Annapolis. The earlier, larger Royal Farms store concept was abandoned, and Two Farms later pursued the smaller Fresh Market model, the outlet reported in its May account of the proposal.
