Higher buildings or higher taxes? Wilton Manors residents don’t want either.

With nearly all impactful developments dead or languishing, the city is facing difficult decisions regarding how much is too much. The city code was amended in 2021 to allow buildings up to eight stories. But many developers say they can’t turn a profit with those caps.

A new survey from The Gazette shows two-thirds of residents want caps at six or eight floors. Only 33% are okay with 10 stories or higher.

Wilton’s population and housing inventory has essentially been stagnant for decades. Given the number of homesteaded properties, tax revenues haven’t kept up with soaring home values. New properties come in at top tax rates; in the case of apartments they’ll never be, and tax rates will keep up.

One respondent says the city has a lot of catching up to do. "Wilton has been so far behind Oakland Park and Fort Lauderdale in development.”

The commenter also notes that some plans get approved only to wither on the vine.

“Wilton projects have gone stale and discussions unmanageable over the past 10 years, while I see 45+ new buildings on the Fort Lauderdale skyline. Oakland Park has a new downtown, city buildings, infrastructure and housing, housing and more housing.”

Without new development, tax funds stagnate, causing severe budget issues. The city imposed a 10% tax hike in this budget and a similar increase is expected for the next budget.

One person, who supports 10-story highrises, says the very outdated buildings lining main corridors like Wilton Drive, Andrews Ave., and 26th St. are a turnoff.

“We look like an abandoned strip mall. It doesn’t invoke joy in curious tourists or other investors.”

One person who supports a six-story cap says the city can’t handle more.

“No high rises! More people means more traffic and it’s bad enough in the city already.”

Another reader says it’s time to go all in.

“Ten stories should be allowed on all major streets, maybe higher on streets with at least four lanes of traffic. Duplexes should be allowed in neighborhoods that are currently single family homes only.”

Taxes seem to influence people’s opinions. The survey finds two-thirds don’t want to pay higher taxes to keep growth rates low.

The city is giving priority to developments on Oakland Park Blvd. and Andrews Ave.

By contrast, Fort Lauderdale has kept its mileage rate steady for 17 years.