Towson Residents Push Back Against Proposed Royals Farms Gas Station
Towson, MD. (WJZ)-- Residents in Towson are not going down without a fight, they're pushing back against a proposal for a major development on York Road.
Plans for the new development 'Towson Station' say it's intended to support the community, a community that doesn't want them there.
The intersection of York and Bosley is set up for a major transformation. It's a transformation neighbors said they want no part of.
"I've not yet heard anyone who lives in any of these neighborhoods say anything positive about this project," one neighbor said.
Developers were grilled for two hours Monday by more than 200 outraged residents.
"This has been going on for three years," another neighbor said.
Plans for the 6-acre lot include a 24 hour Royal Farms gas station with room for commercial trucks, plus stores and restaurants.
"You all may be shocked to learn but we think that we've presented a pretty good product," said Christopher Mudd of Caves Valley Partners.
More than 1,100 neighbors have signed a petition that say there will be an increased crime risk and an existing gas station is already across the street.
Among their complaints is traffic. Neighbors said 18-wheelers will take a pit stop from the highway and make rush hour a nightmare. Plus, dozens of healthy trees have been cut down to make way for pavement.
"You're talking about putting a site with zero benefit amongst a community with all kinds of hazards," one resident said.
Royal Farms released a statement saying: "We're following the county process for approvals and looking forward to building the store to serve the community."
The excitement is not exactly mutual.
"We're going to keep trying to address as many concerns as we can and at the end of the day, I don't anticipate everyone's going to be happy," Mudd said.
The developers said they are finalizing some impact studies like traffic in the area, but those will not be made public. There are still several steps, including a hearing with the County, before developers are clear to build.
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