Planning commission recommends annexation and mixed‑use zoning for Wild Willie Airboats after divisive public comment

The St. Cloud Planning Commission voted 3-2 to recommend approval of three ordinances to annex and rezone an 8.5‑acre parcel for Wild Willie Airboats, advancing the proposals to City Council on April 10.

The vote followed a lengthy public‑comment period in which several long‑time residents near Whaley’s Landing urged the commission to deny the annexation, citing noise, traffic and potential declines in property values. John Adams, the applicant’s agent, told the commission the company already operates tours in the same waterway and asked for the same mixed‑use land use and zoning the county currently allows.

“We're simply asking for the same land use and same zoning within the city of St. Cloud,” Adams said, describing the request as a transfer of existing county entitlements to city jurisdiction. Ralph Keith, associate planner, told commissioners the proposal is contiguous with city limits and staff recommended approval.

Opponents said the change would bring more airboat activity closer to homes. Janine Wooten, who identified herself as a nearby property owner, said the family wants “our rights to peaceful enjoyment of our land” preserved and described existing noise from airboats as already disruptive. Several residents said private, noncommercial airboats and other users already skirt the posted idle‑speed/no‑wake rules and that a commercial launch would intensify traffic on the narrow local roads.

Supporters — including Wild Willie captains and employees — told the commission the company has operated in the area for years, follows Coast Guard and safety requirements, and would generally run tours during daytime hours. “We operate typically in the winter from 9 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. and in the summer to about 8:15 p.m.,” a captain said, adding that most tours run about an hour and that company captains try to idle near shorelines to limit noise disturbance.

Planners and the applicant also noted additional permits and reviews would be required before any dock or operational changes occur, including engineering review, South Florida Water Management District permitting and state dock permits; annexation and zoning tonight would not authorize construction or marine permits.

The Planning Commission’s recommendation was 3‑2; the item will be considered by City Council on April 10. The commission record and staff comments note that some enforcement of shoreline speed and noise would remain with county or state authorities for public boat ramps and that private citizens’ actions on the water are not controlled by the applicant.

If City Council approves the land‑use and zoning applications, the applicant will still need separate approvals for site work, water‑access infrastructure and any dock or maritime permits before operations could change at the new site.

A final decision on the annexation and zoning will be made by St. Cloud City Council at the April 10 meeting.