Other actions regarded urban developments, keeping vehicles off paths
Central Florida Expressway Authority has more than 50 miles of new projects in Osceola County, aimed at addressing the county’s explosive growth. Will Hawthorne, Director of Transportation Planning and Policy for CFX, presented an update on the projects to the St. Cloud City Council at its Thursday meeting.
Despite the addition of thousands of homes, Hawthorne noted, “There hasn’t really been any new major transportation corridors established that serve Osceola County and surrounding areas. The opportunity to get something done is rapidly closing.”
The projects on the drawing board or building stage are a Poinciana Parkway extension to County Road 532 (Osceola Polk Line Road)— and eventually Interstate 4; four-laning the entirety of 532 from 17-92 to ChampionsGate; the planning studies for the Southport Connector, designed to ultimately connect to Florida’s Turnpike and Canoe Creek Road south of St. Cloud (public hearings for this project are expected in the fall); and studies for the Northeast Connector Expressway, which will connect Southport to the eastern end of the Osceola Parkway extension (in plans as State Road 534).
In other action, Council approved an ordinance prohibiting from public trails and paths any motorized devices such as electric bikes, Segways, and motorized scooters that go 20 miles per hour or faster. Wheelchairs are exempt, and city employees are allowed to use motorized mobility devices while performing public duties such as trash pickup and trail repairs.
“This is in response to safety concerns raised by residents and visitors related to the operation of motorized vehicles on trails and sidewalks,” said Parks and Recreation Director Stephanie Holtkamp. “It covers paths such as Chisholm Park Horse Trail, Florida Avenue Trail, Peghorn Nature Park Trail, and Lakeshore Park Trail, including the Rummell Road Trail extension.”
Violations will be enforced by law enforcement or code enforcement officers.
The Council also approved the Urban Center development agreement and preliminary subdivision plan amendment for Heritage at Cross Prairie, a 132-acre development west of the Florida Turnpike. The development will be designed with the structure of blocks, streets, public spaces, and buildings that will evolve over time into a form resembling a traditional downtown and requiring a minimum mix of 15% residential, 55% commercial office, and 10% public park civic space.
“I’m excited,” Mayor Robertson said. “This is what we’re looking for, and hopefully we get some jobs in here and some more restaurants. Everybody’s saying, ‘We want restaurants,’ ‘We need hotels,’ and I think this kind of accomplishes and kills a lot of birds with one stone.”
And, Council approved a Conditional Use for a new ABC Fine Wine and Spirits store at the site of the former CVS at US 192 and Neptune Road. Due to its proximity to a school, the location will not be permitted to hold events that allow on-site consumption of alcohol.
