After months of delays and uncertainty, The Wilton Yards Townhome Project at 2700 NE 9th Ave., has moved forward. During their meeting on June 11, the city commissioners approved several technical but necessary steps.

Wilton Yards will be a three-building campus made up of 18 luxury townhomes. Each building will be three stories with six 2300-sq-ft units with two car garages.

Developers will now go to the Broward County Commission for their approval. They hope to demolish existing structures by the end of the year and start construction in early 2025.

Making Noise

After several residents made complaints about excessive and extended barking by neighbors’ dogs, WMPD Chief Blocker researched pet noise ordinances in other Florida municipalities.

Commissioners were simultaneously supportive and skeptical. Vice Mayor Mike Bracchi is concerned about singling out animal-related noise. “I don’t want to start creating different categories based on the type of noise.”

There were also questions about how long barking goes on, how many people need to witness the noise and if electronic evidence (audio recording) should be required. What everyone did seem to agree on is that the current noise ordinance is out of date and often ineffective.

It was also suggested that there are very few pet-related complaints and the city should think carefully before getting involved.

A pet-related ordinance is being drafted.

Congratulations

The city also recognized kudos coming Wilton’s way. They finished in the top 20 among municipalities vying for All-American City status.

Also, Air B&B named Wilton Manors as one of the five best cities in the world for LGBTQ visitors and the only small city on the list. “It’s remarkable what this community has done in the past few years,” Mayor Scott Newton said.