Council rezones 86-acre parcel for large industrial park; final plat accepted for phase 1

The Gardner City Council on Feb. 1 approved rezoning of an 86.21-acre tract at the northeast corner of 170th Street and Clare Road to MP-2 Planned General District for potential industrial development and accepted the dedication of easements and right-of-way shown on the phase 1 final plat.

Dave Knopf, presenting the staff report, said the property was annexed in December and that the planning commission on Jan. 27 held a public hearing with no speakers. He described the preliminary development plan as showing roughly eight warehouse buildings totaling about 2,800,000 square feet, with individual buildings ranging from about 100,000 to 500,000 square feet.

Why it matters: The rezoning and plat actions enable a large industrial development in the Grammer master development and initiate infrastructure dedication for phase 1, which sets the legal framework for utility easements and public rights-of-way needed to proceed to construction and building permits.

Council action: The council voted to accept the Planning Commission recommendation and approve Ordinance No. 2825 changing zoning classification under authority of Title 17 of the Gardner Municipal Code. Separately, council approved a second motion to accept the dedication of easements and rights-of-way shown on the phase 1 final plat.

Next steps: Staff said the developer has representatives available to answer technical questions and that subsequent approvals — final development plans, permits and infrastructure work — will follow as the project proceeds.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance No. 2825 (rezoning to MP-2 for 86.21 acres): adopted. - Acceptance of dedication of easements and right-of-way for phase 1 final plat: approved.

Sources: Presentation and staff report by Dave Knopf and recorded motions and roll-call votes at the council meeting.