THE
GAZETTE VOLUME 9 • ISSUE 10 MAY 19, 2022
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WILTON MANORS
WILTON MANORS COMMISSIONERS
SPLIT ON WILTONNEXT By John Hayden
Accept, but don’t approve. That was the decision of the Wilton Manors City Commission when grappling with a plan laying out visions for the future of the city. The report, titled WiltonNext, was created by an outside consulting firm to study real estate, business, residential conditions, etc. in an effort to get ahead of trends and position the city for the future. The original report riled many westside residents. It called for Wilton Manors to embrace an atmosphere of “wellness,” especially along Andrews Avenue. Many interpreted that as a plan to build four-story medical complexes and not be particularly useful for westside residents on a day-to-day basis. Redevelopment Management Associates (RMA) prepared the plan and had representatives on hand to clarify and answer questions from city officials. They explained that the term “wellness” encompasses much more than staid medical buildings like you see near hospitals. The vision includes spas, fitness centers, and similar businesses. RMA’s report also mentions St. Clements Catholic Church as a potential
development site, which was particularly irksome to people living in that area. City Manager Leigh Ann Henderson reported this was a moot point, as the property isn’t for sale and the church has no plans to sell and move. This all came after four westside residents passionately spoke out against the plan. In the end, the commission decided to accept the plan, but not approve it for implementation at this time. Commissioner Mike Bracchi pointed out that rejecting it would mean the city would have to return grant money for a report that was completed. Commissioner Gary Resnick pointed out that city development is committed to building commercial/ residential mixed-use housing, a point that was driven home when the Office of Economic Development report was presented. “It’s what I hoped for,” Commissioner Chris Caputo told SFGN afterward. “We recognize the national trend [of wellness] as well potential future businesses for the area.” The commission agreed that some of the ideas in the report are feasible and good for the city. By not “approving” the plan,
They explained that the term “wellness” encompasses much more than staid medical buildings like you see near hospitals. The vision includes spas, fitness centers, and similar businesses.
Wilton Manors commissioners during a meeting. Credit: Carina Mask.
they can cherry-pick which ones they want to implement going forward.
OTHER BUSINESS Code Enforcement and Wilton Manors Police Department gave an update on tracking vacation rentals in the city. A breakdown of the past several years shows most violations are related to the issue of people not registering their property with the city.
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They discussed buying new software that could help in tracking down under-theradar violators. Wording was updated to many parts of the city code, and the changes were adopted unanimously. The commission also recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month and National Police Week, noting a sharp increase in attacks on law enforcement in recent years.
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OPINION
WILTON MANORS
ENA’S PYRRHIC VICTORY
2520 N. Dixie Highway • Wilton Manors, FL 33305
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Site of proposed project. Image via Broward County property appraiser website.
derelict property sit unused and undeveloped culminating with the recent fire that gutted the boarded-up building. ENA might have won those few battles back then, but it now appears they will wind up losing the war…and instead of having a much smaller development of luxury residential condo units with amazing architectural design and detail that embraced the surrounding landscape, are now faced with a much larger development to include rental apartments and parking garage. One thing for certain is that this property and a few others located around our small two square mile city hold the key to the collective future success for our Island City. As we continue to celebrate our city’s 75th birthday, we must make the right choices now to safeguard the next 75 years. Those choices include maximizing the benefit for long-term growth and sustainability by bringing in the right development for these few unique larger parcels throughout our city. We cannot go back in time and alter history, to have our city commission approve a lost opportunity. What we can do is support our city staff and our elected officials in making
the tough decisions needed to move us along as we celebrate many more birthdays in our city’s future. The Island City is not the only one celebrating this month, local Friends of the Wilton Manors Library celebrates their 50th Anniversary this year. The Friends support the many programs that our own municipal library, the Richard C. Sullivan Public Library of Wilton Manors, offers our community. Public access computers, large print books, and educational and cultural programs for adults, children and teens are sustained from the fundraising and support of the local Friends organization. If you have not stopped by the library, then take a moment to check out this wonderful gem located at 500 NE 26th Street. Come Saturday, Leisure Services will host the 29th Annual Island City Canoe Race, which will finish at Richardson Park in time for the big 75th Birthday Bash for the Island City. Cheer on the canoe teams as they make their way around the waterways of the Island City. Residents are welcome to come out and celebrate as the city hosts a birthday BBQ with DJ and presentations of trophies and certificates for the Canoe Race winners. Taking part in your community, looking to make a better tomorrow, and celebrating together is what makes life just better here.
www.WMGAZETTE.com • 5.19.2022
May 19, 2022 • Volume 9 • Issue 10
Publisher • Norm Kent norm.kent@sfgn.com Associate Publisher / Executive Editor • Jason Parsley jason.parsley@sfgn.com
ENA might have won those few battles back then, but it now appears they will wind up losing the war.
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By Sal Torre As I returned to Wilton Manors this past week from my recent trip up north, there was plenty of local news for me to catch up on. As I paged through some material left at my doorstep by a fellow city news junkie, one item particularly caught my attention. There among the recent edition of the Town Crier, a copy of the Wilton Next Market Analysis Recap presentation, and various other items was a copy of a proposed project to be located at the former church property on NE 26th Street, called Wilton Gardens. What makes this proposed project stand out is its size and scope. From what I can gather, Wilton Gardens would consist of 250 apartment units along with a sizeable parking garage structure attached. For many of us who have witnessed a whole slew of proposals for this particular site fail to get final approval from our city commission over the past five or six years, this project would seem to be dead on arrival. This time around however, things might be a bit different. Every project in the past was met with a solid block of opposition from the East Neighborhood Association (ENA). One of the last projects led to the chopping block by ENA was an award-winning design of luxury residential condo units, designed by Rene Gonzalez. This project had unanimous approval from the city’s Planning and Zoning Board and was praised by many in the community. P&Z members voiced very strong opinions on the project, stating the positive impact it would have on the surrounding area and on its unique design. Local community leader Michael Rajner echoed many voices in the community, stating, “It’s really time Wilton Manors has a project of this stature, having world class designed buildings is important for our community.” Unfortunately ENA was victorious in their battle to stop the project by getting the city commission to request unfeasible reductions in the number of units, from 100 down to 70, along with other roadblocks that eventually caused the developer to scrap the project. Then for the past five years we all had to watch this
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR
WILTON MANORS
IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS (AND THEIR PETS!)
In the last 18 months, our current commission has worked with residents and city stakeholders to strategically change our code to encourage the right kind of development for our city, improve resident qualify of life, upgrade, and maintain infrastructure, and remain fiscally responsible. I am grateful for everyone who played an active role in helping us to make the best decisions for our city’s residents. Today, I want to share with you some proposals coming in front of the commission over the next 30 days in hopes of hearing your feedback and suggestions.
As I have stated before, my own house in Wilton Manors was a vacation rental for about six months. While it’s no longer a vacation rental today, I currently manage a vacation rental located in Fort Lauderdale. I believe that most vocational rental owners manage their properties properly to ensure neighborhoods are respected and properties are well-maintained. A small number of bad apples remain, however. Our commission is considering changes to our vacation rental regulations that will help us identify and deal with problematic properties. The new proposed regulations include sound detection and alert devices, limits on the number of property guests, requirements of timely on-site responses from a local responsible party, and requirements of timely property inspections between stays. While Florida law prevents us from banning or limiting the number of vacation rentals in the city, these new proposed regulations will help address problem properties that pose a threat to our quality of life. Professional property managers I have spoken with welcome the changes, eager to weed out those short-term rentals that threaten the reputation of their entire industry.
NEW DOG PARK REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS At our last commission meeting, Mayor Scott Newton asked that a discussion of dog park registration requirements be considered. As he shared during the meeting, our city charges a fee to issue residents a key fob for park access. Currently, dog owners are required to show proof of a current rabies vaccine, but not any of the other commonly required vaccines. I share Newton’s belief that we should require dog owners to have the
ART WALK WILTON MANORS
RETURNS MAY 21
By John Hayden
Colohatchee Park. Image via Facebook.
STRENGTHENING OUR VACATION RENTAL REGULATIONS same vaccines to enter our park as they would be required to enter an overnight boarding facility. Requiring these vaccines will help keep all our four-legged friends safe.
CITY WIDE SHUTTLE SERVICE BEING CONSIDERED Revenue generated from residents and visitors parking in our city-owned parking lots can be used only for parking and transportation related expenses. Besides maintaining our existing parking services, parking revenue also pays for our ride sharing discounts (https:// bit.ly/WiltonUberRides). At an upcoming commission meeting, we’ll consider a proposal to use our parking fund revenue to pay for a new city-wide electric shuttle. City staff posted an RFP for an electric shuttle operator and identified a potential partner for consideration by the commission. Their proposal would provide the electric shuttles and staff for residents to use anywhere within city limits. Rides would cost a nominal fee, designed to offset operational costs along with advertising that would appear on the vehicles. I support the addition of a shuttle service for residents to use, especially given that it is being funded from our parking revenue and not an additional tax on residents or burden on our general operational budget. I would love to hear from you, however. Would you use a shuttle service? Would you like see the commission accept this vendor’s proposal? You can email me at ccaputo@wiltonmanors.com or text me at 954.557.2801.
NEWS
WILTON MANORS
From a rainbow bridge to murals on buildings and wall-sized paintings in businesses, Wilton Manors’ art scene is vibrant and alive. On the third Saturday of each month, it’s on display even more. Art Walk Wilton Manors brings local artists out of their studios and onto the sidewalks. Creators will line Wilton Drive, showing off their work to everyone passing by. This month the event is May 21 from 6-9 p.m. The open-air event is free, letting the public peruse at their own pace. You can walk a block and look at different work, then sit for a drink or a bite before moving on to more art, more food, and more drinks.
ARTIST INFO While families and their pets are all welcome for free, vendors pay a small fee to display their wares ($50 first time/$25 additional months). Usually artists are able
Artwork in Wilton Manors. Credit: Carina Mask.
to have their pick of positions along Wilton Drive, and organizers work with artists to accommodate most requests. If an artist’s exhibit needs electricity, it can be provided. However, it will limit the choice of space, and organizers need to know ahead of time. The fee buys the space, but artists must bring their own tables, chairs, display needs, etc.
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COMMUNITY
WILTON MANORS
A
EAGLE GOES BACK IN TIME The Bar Will Host Vinyl Nights Playing Old-School Music
PEX
By John Hayden
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DJ John Bata. Image via Facebook.
The revolution of digital technology over the past 15 years has given us music that doesn’t degrade from the moment it’s recorded to when it’s played, no matter how many times you listen. It is perfect sound. Maybe too perfect. Now old school technology is making a comeback. Eagle Wilton Manors is hosting 100 Percent Vinyl Night on the first and third Thursdays of the month. There’s a certain something that vinyl sound brings. Perfect imperfections, perhaps? Spinning the tunes is veteran DJ John Bata. “100 Percent Vinyl is a first of its kind dance party in Wilton Manors that tries to recapture the energy and vibe of famous parties in late ‘80s, ‘90s, and 2000s in NYC, Chicago, Miami and the U.K., when DJs spun exclusively with vinyl records before digital music was a thing,” he said when announcing the event. While vinyl may be a sentimental and retro format, Bata said these parties aren’t retro night. “100 Percent Vinyl is not a ‘retro’ party, but something meant to be a time machine back in
“100 Percent Vinyl is not a ‘retro’ party, but something meant to be a time machine back in time when house music was still forming and growing hadn’t reached world domination and mass appeal and was truly underground.”
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• 5.19.2022
time when house music was still forming and growing hadn’t reached world domination and mass appeal and was truly underground.” Bata said much of the music played features remixes, rare white labels and originals by world famous DJs Junior Vasquez, Danny Tenaglia, Frankie Knuckles, Peter Rauhofer, David Morales and other kings of gay nightlife at that time. There will also be forgotten classics of that era. Many of the tracks are not available for download or online, meaning this is one of few places, if not the only place, you’ll hear these tracks. A DJ for 30 years, Bata started out spinning with vinyl in the best clubs in Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and New York City. That was the era of house, techno, trance, and progressive. Now he’s bringing his skills, and his records, to Eagle. And if you want two-for-one drinks, wear a harness. Because it doesn’t matter if you’re celebrating the ‘80s, ‘90s, or beyond, a good harness and cheap drinks are always fashionable.
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