St. Cloud City Council on Thursday approved the annexation, comprehensive-plan transmittal and zoning map amendment needed to bring the Edgewater West development into city limits, clearing the way for a large mixed‑use project east of the Florida Turnpike.

The council adopted the annexation by a 4–1 vote, then approved the comprehensive‑plan transmittal and the zoning change (to city mixed‑use) with the same margin. Council member Gilbert cast the lone “nay” on the annexation and later voted against the zoning motion. Planning staff and the developer said the request meets statutory requirements and is contiguous with the city boundary.

The city’s Director of Community Development, Melissa Dunklin, told the council the request "meets both the statutory requirements and is consistent with our joint planning agreement with Osceola County as it is contiguous and reasonably compact." She said planning staff recommended approval and noted the county approvals that will carry forward with the annexation.

At councilmember Urban’s request, the council added a condition allowing staff to approve limited changes to the project’s concept plan so that additional commercial acreage can be added administratively rather than requiring the developer to return to the council each time. The developer, Kevin Kramer of BTI Partners, said he was amenable to that approach and that commercial prospects had expressed interest in space the project could accommodate if the plan were administratively adjustable.

Why it matters: The annexation and zoning clear land for a large, privately driven mixed‑use development that the city says is consistent with its joint planning agreement with Osceola County. The administrative authorization for some commercial changes is intended to speed recruitment of business tenants without requiring multiple council hearings.

What the council approved — and how: The council voted separately on the annexation (motion approved 4–1), the comprehensive‑plan transmittal (motion approved 4–1), and the zoning map amendment (motion approved 4–1). The motions were made from the dais and recorded in the roll calls for each item; Council Member Gilbert was the dissent on at least the annexation-related roll call recorded in the meeting.

Next steps: The comprehensive plan amendment will be transmitted for interagency review as required by Florida law; the zoning change is in place subject to the conditions the council attached, including the administrative pathway for limited commercial substitutions. The developer and staff said they will proceed with the city’s entitlement process and subsequent permitting.

Details and context: The council packet and staff presentation noted the property’s existing county mixed‑use designations and that the city land‑use and zoning now align the site with city plans. Dunklin said planning commission had recommended approval before the council vote. The council discussion included repeated references to ensuring adequate commercial opportunities and managing the development review process to avoid repeated Council hearings for small plan refinements.