Annapolis considers annexing 5.4-acre site where developer plans townhomes

The city of Annapolis will consider annexing about 5.4 acres of land south of Bay Ridge Road that the property owners plan to develop into 39 townhomes.

Representatives of the property owner, GSX Solutions LLC, presented a petition for annexation Monday night to the City Council.

A long-closed liquor store and a few derelict houses stand on the site, but the property has been vacant for about 20 years, said Alan Hyatt, an attorney representing GSX. In recent years Lidl planned a grocery store there but those plans fell through, Hyatt said. (Lidl did not respond to a request for comment.)

During Monday night’s council meeting, Hyatt said GSX’s plan calls for 39 housing units, about six of which would be moderately priced.

“It really is something that cries for redevelopment,” he said.

Hyatt said in an interview that the developer’s main motivation to petition for annexation is the accessibility of public utilities. It would be easier, he said, to access water and sewer services there from the city than from Anne Arundel County.

Chris Jakubiak, the director of planning and zoning for Annapolis, said the city’s master plan calls for annexation, specifically identifying that parcel of land for incorporation into the city.

Though an annexation vote may have conditions tied to it related to development, Jakubiak said, voting to annex the land is not directly tied to a project approval process.

However, Hyatt said Monday, GSX has had work sessions with the Annapolis Planning Commission about the townhouse project. Initially GSX proposed 49 homes there, but the commission indicated that was too dense.

The property is between a boat supply store and a relatively new senior living facility called Sunrise at Bay Village and a Starbucks. There’s a shopping center with a Giant Food Store across Bay Ridge Road.

Alderman Rob Savidge, who represents the surrounding area, said Monday he supported the annexation and redevelopment of the parcel.

“I’m actually quite excited about it,” he said.

The property has been a constant source of irritation from residents, Savidge said, including complaints about trash, blight and appearance.

Savidge said the property sits in a targeted growth area for the city. Because of approvals, public notifications and other bureaucratic logistics, Savidge said, the annexation likely would not go through until next spring, at the earliest.

To be approved, the annexation has to demonstrate it would lead to more revenue for the city than it would cost in municipal services.

GSX submitted an analysis that estimates the property, if annexed and left “as is,” without development, would bring in $31,667 in annual property taxes with “little or no” demand on municipal services.

The analysis says that, under its initial proposal of 49 homes, the city would net “at least” $52,000 in annual tax revenue over the cost of providing municipal services. The submitted plan does not adjust for a 39-unit development, but Hyatt said in an interview he believes it’s a revenue positive for the city on a per-unit basis.

After voting to annex, the City Council would have to vote to zone the property. GSX is asking for “R3” zoning, allowing for housing density of up to eight units per acre.

The council voted unanimously Monday to move the petition through city staff for further review and work.

Hyatt said he thinks the project will be up for discussion among City Council committees and the planning commission in the fall.