You catch more flies (and get more financial help) with honey than vinegar. That was the case at the Wilton Manors City Commission meeting on July 8.
The first issue dealt with liens against the property at 1550 NE 26th St., AKA the old church lot, which is set to be redeveloped as high-end townhomes. The current owner of the property was asking for relief on the roughly $340,000 in fines racked up since 2018.
There were three notices, 2018, 2021, and 2023, each with multiple violations, some of which were “duplicative,” or the same issue. The attorney for the owner asked for those to be reduced as well as for credit for issues that were temporarily corrected, such as landscaping.
Eventually commissioners settled on a reduction of 51.5% plus staff costs, totaling $165,000 due in 60 days.
This particular case was different from most appeals. First, a special magistrate denied any reduction. Many if not most appeals get between 25%-50% relief. Second, one person noted there could be an opening for previous violators to seek retroactive relief for duplicative fines.
Third, there is an element of political expediency. The group set to develop the property, Lennar, won’t close on the property until the fines are paid. With a recent history of dead and delayed development projects in the city, many are anxious to get this underway.
Meanwhile, another property owner was not greeted so warmly. Like a wart that won’t go away, Wilton West LLC, the owner of a trio of delinquent properties (409 NW 25 Street, 925 NW 30 Court and 1009 NW 30 Court), came by for a second (or third?) bite at the apple. They owe $50,000.
This case comes with bad blood. The citations were issued in 2021. Last year a special magistrate heard their appeal and gave a 50% reduction. The owners then, in April 2024, asked commissioners for further relief.
They came with a lot of attitude and little new documentation. Commissioners took the rare step of reversing the special magistrate’s decision and raising the total back to 75%. When it wasn’t paid in 60 days it went back to 100%.
A more respectful representative came back asking for 50% and six months to pay. That would, essentially, be a 15-month interest-free loan. Commissioners were skeptical to downright hostile.
In a rare, 3-2 split, commissioners reverted to the 75%, citing a want to get it off the books. Mike Bracchi and Paul Rolli were firmly against.
