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Council approves rezoning and preliminary plat for United Properties’ 212 West Business Center
Summary
After a lengthy staff presentation and questions from council, Carver approved rezoning and a preliminary plat for the 212 West Business Center. The developer remedied petroleum contamination and agreed to a $11,000 tree-replacement payment; construction is targeted for 2026.
The Carver City Council voted to rezone and approve a preliminary plat for the 212 West Business Center, clearing the way for two large industrial buildings adjacent to Lakeview Industries and Fleet Farm.
City planning staff explained that United Properties is proposing two phased industrial buildings, each about 189,000 square feet, with more than 550 parking stalls and access from Levi Griffin Drive and Commerce Drive. The site is at 12280 Jonathan Carver Parkway and was annexed into the city; staff said the project aligns with the city’s comprehensive plan and that an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) concluded an environmental impact statement was not required.
During the presentation, staff and the developer addressed three technical concerns that shaped negotiations: trail siting, tree replacement and soil remediation. Because County Road 11 in that corridor is unimproved and a ditch condition makes a north–south trail siting tricky, the parties shifted one building 18 feet west to create space for a trail that will tie into future improvements. That adjustment displaced some parking stalls.
Staff said United Properties and the city agreed on a revised planting plan and, because the required ponding, wetlands and infrastructure prevent full on-site tree replacement, the developer will give the city about $11,000 to fund future city tree-planting projects. Staff clarified the payment must be used for tree removal or planting and will be applied communitywide.
The council also heard that Braun Intertech performed soil testing and removed 3,100 cubic yards of petroleum-contaminated soil from the site. Staff said the contamination was caused by a leaking underground fuel tank belonging to a previous owner; Braun’s staged testing and removals returned “clean margins,” and the developer characterized the site as shovel-ready. The city said the previous owner bore remediation costs and United Properties is pursuing state grant funding where available.
Concerns raised by councilors and staff included tenant identification (the developer said tenants are not yet lined up and the project is primarily build-to-suit), sustainability measures (the developer said a corporate sustainability lead will use Xcel Energy design assistance and track utility use), trash enclosures (to be screened), and traffic and stormwater coordination with Carver County Water Management Organization and MnDOT. Staff said a traffic signal will be required at Levi Griffin Drive and Commerce Drive and that long-term stormwater solutions are planned with Commerce Drive extension; construction activity is anticipated to begin in 2026 if market conditions allow.
On motions called by the mayor/clerk, the council adopted Ordinance 10-2025 rezoning the property from Agriculture to Industrial and passed Resolution 147-25 approving the preliminary plat for the 212 West Business Center. The clerk recorded the motions and announced the voice votes as passing.
