Council transmits transportation element update, endorses LaSalle extension over Michigan Avenue cut-through

The Saint Cloud City Council voted unanimously to transmit an update to the transportation element of its comprehensive plan and to prioritize extending LaSalle Avenue rather than routing Michigan Avenue through the municipal golf course.

Melissa Dunklin, director of community development, told council the update incorporates recommendations from the city's Transportation and Mobility Master Plan and the Vision Zero (Vision 0) Action Plan. The element adds maps and policies for framework streets, crash density and severity analysis, and multimodal and maintenance-responsibility maps.

"The city is committed to creating a safe, efficient and accessible multimodal transportation system for all users," Dunklin said, reading updated goal language that places an explicit focus on all users including pedestrians and cyclists.

Council Member Urban urged the council to avoid putting a road through the middle of the city-owned golf course and proposed LaSalle Avenue as the preferred alternative. Staff and public-safety advisors had recommended the LaSalle option; staff said it would better support multimodal connections and future fire-station planning along Orange Avenue.

Council approved transmittal of Ordinance 2025‑49 (transportation element update) to the Florida Department of Commerce for interagency review with the LaSalle extension reflected in the transmitted document. The vote was 5–0.

The transmittal sends the plan for state review; final adoption will return to council after interagency comments are addressed.