Council approves amended Project Zeppelin plan; Amazon to occupy expanded warehouse footprint
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Summary
West Melbourne council approved an amended master plan for Project Zeppelin that lowers building height, spreads the structure horizontally, reduces commercial acreage and retains shared stormwater management; Amazon confirmed plans to operate a first-mile fulfillment center expected to bring about 1,000 full-time jobs. (Vote 6–1)
West Melbourne — The City Council voted Tuesday to approve an amended master development plan for Project Zeppelin, a large mixed‑use development that includes an expanded, lower-profile warehouse intended in part for Amazon.
Planning Director Christie Fisher told the council the revised agreement keeps the site’s future‑land‑use and zoning designations while changing the building profile from a taller, multistory concept to a longer, conventional warehouse. The master development plan lists roughly 12.26% commercial, 69.9% industrial and 17.84% open space for the 117‑acre site, Fisher said. Staff noted that off‑site transportation improvements and stormwater permitting will require coordination with FDOT, Brevard County and the St. Johns Water Management District.
Tim Weber of Acquest Development and consultant Brent Linson of Kimley‑Horn said the new approach reduces peak roof height (the highest roof point was presented at about 55 feet) while expanding the building footprint to retain the same internal volume. Linson confirmed truck parking will drop from 423 spaces in the previous plan to 401 under the amended layout; employee parking was reduced from about 992 spaces to 739, with a condition that the developer submit a parking study at final site plan to demonstrate sufficiency.
Sam Blatt, Amazon’s economic development lead, said the facility will function as a first‑mile fulfillment center and that the company expects to create more than 1,000 full‑time jobs. Edgar Campopalfox of the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast offered the commission’s support, citing tax revenue and workforce benefits for the region.
Councilman Pat Bentley moved to approve the amended plan and Miss Volts seconded. After confirming Bentley’s remote vote, the mayor announced the motion carried 6–1, with Miss Adams voting no. Bentley said he supported the project provided staff receives satisfactory final parking confirmation before construction.
The council record says several project conditions — including coordination on signals at the US‑192/Milky Way intersection and several driveway improvements — remain subject to agency approvals. The developer also agreed to architectural standards, a signage plan and a $50,000 contribution toward a city dog park, all included in the development agreement.
The approval advances Project Zeppelin into the next administrative review and permitting phases; final site plans, building permits and traffic mitigations will return to staff and applicable permitting agencies for review.
