Evolution of the Royal Farms Case
2012 –Royal Farms’ proposes a large convenience store and 14-pump gas station, open 24 hours, at the intersection of Glenmore and Harford. Councilman Curran supports the project. Zoning allows the store but requires “conditional use” for gas pumps. Residents protest, and the NoRoFo movement is born.
2013 – April. The Planning Department expresses “no objection” to Royal Farms. Gas pumps are scaled down to 12. The community hires Attorney John Murphy.
2013 – September. In Circuit Court John Murphy shows how a call from Royal Farms’ lawyer alters the BMZA’s resolution, making Royal Farms no longer financially responsible for reconfiguring the intersection. The case is sent back to the BMZA.
2013 – December. Under Curran’s suggestion, the City drops the required Traffic Impact Study in return for Royal Farms agreeing to pay for the traffic reconfiguration.
2015 – August. The land is purchased by the Berg Corporation from Local 37 Union of Operating Engineers, for $1.5 million.
2015 – September. Curran and Rawlings-Blake side with residents. The Mayor notes that the development “increase[s] the probability of automobile collision-related injuries or death,” and Planning Director Thomas Stosur says it conflict with the 2008 Harford Road Corridor Study’s goal of a pedestrian-friendly commercial district. Murphy says the fight isn’t over yet.
2015 – October. Royal Farms removes some parking spaces and introduces some green space. Rawlings-Blake’s support shifts, again, and the BMZA votes 4-1 to approve conditional use for a gas station. Zoning argues that it found no additional problems created by the gas pumps beyond those created by a convenience store, which was permitted by right.
2015 – City transportation planner Gerald Neily says the realignment would make the intersection “more unsafe.” “The whole point of a Royal Farms is to intercept traffic in the existing stream.”
2016 – May. Circuit Court Judge Alfred Nance supports the BMZA’s decision to grant conditional use for gas tanks.
2017 – August. John Murphy represents 10 neighborhood groups at the Court of Special Appeals in Annapolis, arguing that the 2016 City Circuit Court ruling erred in affirming the Zoning Board’s approval of the project. The Appeals Court agrees and the case back to the Circuit Court, to be reviewed, once again, by the BMZA.
2019 – The BMZA decides to hold a “redeliberation” rather than a new zoning hearing to decide the outcome of the proposed Glenmore Ave/ Harford Rd Royal Farms development. Attorney John Murphy offers to continue representing Hamilton communities in this “David and Goliath.” He’s ready for another round, and is optimistic of the outcome.
2012 –Royal Farms’ proposes a large convenience store and 14-pump gas station, open 24 hours, at the intersection of Glenmore and Harford. Councilman Curran supports the project. Zoning allows the store but requires “conditional use” for gas pumps. Residents protest, and the NoRoFo movement is born.
2013 – April. The Planning Department expresses “no objection” to Royal Farms. Gas pumps are scaled down to 12. The community hires Attorney John Murphy.
2013 – September. In Circuit Court John Murphy shows how a call from Royal Farms’ lawyer alters the BMZA’s resolution, making Royal Farms no longer financially responsible for reconfiguring the intersection. The case is sent back to the BMZA.
2013 – December. Under Curran’s suggestion, the City drops the required Traffic Impact Study in return for Royal Farms agreeing to pay for the traffic reconfiguration.
2015 – August. The land is purchased by the Berg Corporation from Local 37 Union of Operating Engineers, for $1.5 million.
2015 – September. Curran and Rawlings-Blake side with residents. The Mayor notes that the development “increase[s] the probability of automobile collision-related injuries or death,” and Planning Director Thomas Stosur says it conflict with the 2008 Harford Road Corridor Study’s goal of a pedestrian-friendly commercial district. Murphy says the fight isn’t over yet.
2015 – October. Royal Farms removes some parking spaces and introduces some green space. Rawlings-Blake’s support shifts, again, and the BMZA votes 4-1 to approve conditional use for a gas station. Zoning argues that it found no additional problems created by the gas pumps beyond those created by a convenience store, which was permitted by right.
2015 – City transportation planner Gerald Neily says the realignment would make the intersection “more unsafe.” “The whole point of a Royal Farms is to intercept traffic in the existing stream.”
2016 – May. Circuit Court Judge Alfred Nance supports the BMZA’s decision to grant conditional use for gas tanks.
2017 – August. John Murphy represents 10 neighborhood groups at the Court of Special Appeals in Annapolis, arguing that the 2016 City Circuit Court ruling erred in affirming the Zoning Board’s approval of the project. The Appeals Court agrees and the case back to the Circuit Court, to be reviewed, once again, by the BMZA.
2019 – The BMZA decides to hold a “redeliberation” rather than a new zoning hearing to decide the outcome of the proposed Glenmore Ave/ Harford Rd Royal Farms development. Attorney John Murphy offers to continue representing Hamilton communities in this “David and Goliath.” He’s ready for another round, and is optimistic of the outcome.
