A developer wants to put a duplex at 824 NE 22 Drive. Getting this done first requires it be rezoned from single family housing. Even that is difficult and tedious.
Neighbors are worried about loss of privacy, lower property values, and the potential the duplex would become vacation rentals such as Airbnb and VRBO.
During their meeting on Jan. 28, city commissioners heard from neighbors, the developer, the architect, and city staff. The motion to rezone passed and will be brought back for second reading. However, the bigger story lies in the discussion.
In a previous meeting, project architect Pedro Rojas noted that few homes are being built for medium-income families because construction costs are too high. This project would create two units about 2,600sq ft. each.
Planning and Zoning board members want the developer to agree to voluntary restrictive covenants that would bind future owners from certain uses, while commissioners asked that trees be installed to protect neighbor privacy.
None seem particularly unreasonable on its own. But each additional requirement adds cost to projects with already-slim profit margins.
This isn’t confined to the duplex. Developers extrapolate limitations to major projects as well. With the current cost of construction material and interest rates, big projects aren’t fiscally feasible under Wilton Manors’ current height restrictions.
There aren’t any large tracts of land left to build something like Wilton Station. The city rewrote its code in 2020 to allow taller structures, but those are seen by many as too low. Developers in east Fort Lauderdale say they need around 10 stories to make it worth their while. Wilton caps height at eight, and anything above six comes with extra requirements.
Other Business
The city is making changes to compensation for long term and high level employees. A recent report shows Wilton Manors employees leaving at an alarmingly high rate.
In order to attract experienced applicants for director-level and assistant director-level jobs, candidates may be offered four weeks of vacation to start, and get five weeks after five years of service.
Previously, an applicant would have to start over with, essentially, zero vacation and only two weeks for the first five years. In a time when people are prioritizing work-life balance, that policy was deemed suboptimal.
Another change will make sure people who stay with the city are more fairly compensated. Assuming they are not already, someone in the same position for five years will automatically be paid the midpoint of their salary range. People with 10 years in the same job will move to the top of their salary range.
