Planning staff says several Annapolis development projects nearing permitting stage

Mike Meekins, senior planner in planning and zoning, told the Environmental Matters Committee at its Dec. 11 meeting that multiple projects on the department’s “current projects” list are advancing and several are close to permit issuance.

Meekins said the AutoZone project at 1942 West Street has received site-design and planning approvals, and that forest conservation and stand delineations have been approved; building and grading permits for demolition are in “approximately the second review,” putting the project close to permit issuance. “They are getting very close to the finish line, and we'll be able to pull permits, soon,” Meekins said.

The committee heard that Bay Village 2, the age-restricted complex at 960 Bay Ridge Avenue, remains under grading-and-building review and has moved more slowly at the developer’s request. Meekins summarized the proposal as “more or less residential,” with independent-living, memory-care/skilled-care components, surface and structured parking and roughly four stories above ground, though he said he could not recall the exact final height off the top of his head.

On Griscom Square (Bay Ridge and Tyler), Meekins reported active clearing and demolition and said the next major step is a storm-drain connection and traffic-control permitting from Public Works; he said he had not yet seen a traffic control plan submitted. Meekins and committee members discussed construction staging and possible daytime-only work to limit nighttime disturbance.

Committee members pressed on whether earlier approvals remain compatible with the city’s newly adopted comprehensive plan and the Tyler Avenue overlay. Eric Leshinski, chief of comprehensive planning, said the Griscom proposal is for single-family dwellings (12 lots) and that public-works coordination is underway for potential intersection and traffic improvements including consideration of a roundabout analysis at Bay Ridge and Tyler.

On Primrose School (Hilltop Lane and Spa Road), Meekins said building construction is complete and road improvements are under way; staff noted the school had built a wider off-street shared-use path that will tie to planned city trails and that some roadway changes were required for traffic flow and safety near the school.

Meekins also briefed the committee on the Villages at Providence Point (permits nearing issuance) and a proposed three-story commercial building at 15 Ridgely that has had initial site design review and must complete APF (Adequate Public Facilities) testing before planning commission review. Meekins said some proposals predate the new comp plan and that staff try to shape the public realm to align with the comp plan where possible, but they cannot force interior program changes on applicants.

The committee received the update as an informational briefing; no formal action was taken on individual projects during the committee meeting.

Ending: Meekins said staff will return with an updated projects list at the committee’s next regular update and encouraged council members to contact planning staff with specific follow-up questions.