Former WNAV site in Annapolis could develop into 46 homes

The former site of a radio station in Annapolis could become a community of nearly 50 homes.

Bill Coyne, the owner of 236 Admiral Drive, is proposing building 46 homes on the 7.6-acre parcel. The development would have eight single-family homes and 38 townhomes. Every unit would have a two-car garage and a driveway.

The proposal is the latest, and smallest, for the site. Alderwoman Karma O’Neill, who represents the area on Annapolis City Council, said this is the third proposal she has seen in the past 15 years.

One, O’Neill said, called for seven “McMansions.” In 2021, a developer wanted a zoning change to build 175 houses — a change the council did not support.

The proposal would be the latest in a series of development projects in the city, including a 39-townhome project for which the City Council is considering annexing land.

About 100 people, many of whom live on nearby streets or in the adjacent Admiral Heights neighborhood, attended a community meeting about the project Wednesday night. Several raised concerns, especially regarding traffic.

Bob McCarthy, an engineer with Drum, Loyka & Associates LLC, said during a Planning Commission meeting in July that the company wouldn’t develop the entire lot because of restraints, including a utility easement and forested area that needs to be preserved. However, about 0.35 acres of wooded area would be cleared, including four “significant” trees. The plan calls for reforesting around the development in part to create a buffer between it and nearby neighborhoods.

The proposed development includes a central green space of more than 27,000 square feet and stormwater management ponds throughout the community. It is just north of Poplar Drive and West Street, not far from the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library.

Coyne said during the community meeting that it is too early in the process to say how much the homes would cost. However, the developers said, city rules would require at least seven units be “moderately priced,” meaning the sale price or rent has to be below market rate.

Coyne said he anticipates the project would bring in $400,000 to $450,000 in property taxes each year.

A study by Lenhart Traffic Consulting on behalf of the city said the redevelopment would have “minimal impact” on nearby streets compared to existing traffic conditions.

Zoning rules would have allowed the project to propose more than 60 houses. Coyne said he scaled back the number in part to make sure there was plenty of parking in the development for residents.

Grace Matthews, who said she has lived on Parker Avenue south of the proposed development for more than 50 years, said she was concerned the project would bring about the construction of “too many houses.”

“I’m not in opposition to you doing this,” she said during the community meeting. “I am concerned about ... overloading Admiral Drive.”

Charles Gross lives on Admiral Drive not far from the WNAV site. The road is dangerous, he said, because of traffic and the way people drive there.

“Something needs to be done,” he said.

The development plan has not been formally submitted to the county. After the Planning Commission work session, Drum Loyka drew modified plans incorporating feedback from commission members. The amended plan includes a widened bike path and a reconfiguration of the site layout to remove an alley.

The building on the property, once home to WNAV radio and associated radio towers, would be demolished before the property is redeveloped. WNAV now broadcasts from the Maryland Public Television tower in Crownsville.

The property, once owned by Sajak Broadcasting Group (yes, as in Pat Sajak), sold in February for $2.2 million, according to online property records.

The property is in Ward 2, which is represented by O’Neill. She said the developers have been easy to work with and receptive to feedback.

“It’s a very good proposal,” said O’Neill, who lives in Admiral Heights. “I am supporting it.”

She said she has heard concerns from neighbors, including the possibility that the developers would seek a cut-through from the property into the Admiral Heights neighborhood.

O’Neill said she would not support any project with a cut-through road. The community’s only entrance is on Admiral Drive, although the site plans include a bike path that feeds to nearby Parker Avenue.

During Wednesday’s community meeting, Admiral Heights Improvement Association President Elizabeth Janney said she was personally excited about the project and said Coyne had made adjustments to the plan to alleviate concerns.

The entrance to the development would be in Ward 3, which is represented by Keanuú Smith-Brown. Smith-Brown said he had concerns about the project but wanted to wait to share specifics until he could hear more from ward residents.