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Council approves Heritage Cross Prairie development agreement and preliminary subdivision plan
Summary
Council approved a development agreement and preliminary subdivision plan amendment for the Heritage Cross Prairie (Cross Prairie Parkway/Turnpike area) urban center, adding a placemaking requirement and conditions including trail alignment around a major stormwater pond.
The City Council approved a development agreement and a preliminary subdivision plan amendment for the Heritage Cross Prairie urban center (approximately 132 acres west of the Turnpike) by a 5-0 vote, adopting modified development standards and conditions intended to preserve a walkable, mixed‑use center.
Melissa Dunklin, director of community development, summarized the proposal as an amendment to a county‑approved PS 21‑00007 to implement an urban‑center form with block structure, public spaces and a required land‑use mix (minimum residential and commercial targets noted in the comprehensive plan). She said the development agreement allows limited administrative modifications to certain standards (up to 20% on select streets and dimensional requirements) and identifies streets classified as A‑ or B‑type frontages for build‑to and frontage treatments.
Staff recommended approval with two clarified conditions: (1) alternative street cross sections shall be generally consistent with LDC dimensional tables or as approved by the city manager (allowing administrative flexibility); and (2) the applicant must submit an updated preliminary subdivision plan showing the trail routed completely around the large southern stormwater pond. The draft tri‑party agreement with Osceola County must be finalized before any development approvals in the urban center.
Applicant representative Joe Thacker offered a supplemental condition that the developer provide a consolidated branding and placemaking (wayfinding) package prior to site or subdivision construction approvals; council added that to the list of conditions. Thacker and developer representatives said they will incorporate pedestrian safety features (signalized crosswalks and HAWK crossings where appropriate) and seek to keep the center walkable and cohesive across phases.
Deputy Mayor Fletcher moved approval with the conditions and with the printed development agreement modifications; Councilmember Paul seconded. The motion carried 5‑0.
