Developers of the proposed hotel in Wilton Manors are beginning to lay the foundation. No, not the process of breaking ground and laying concrete. They’re laying the PR foundation to win approval from the city’s boards and commission and, perhaps more importantly, the community.

The Development Review Committee (DRC) in Wilton Manors will meet in the City Commission Chambers on Aug. 3 at 1:30 p.m. The meeting will be the first chance for the public to give on-the-record input about the plans. Anyone in attendance may speak for three minutes.

The DRC examines every aspect of an architect’s drawings, from wheelchair accessibility to layout to the impact of the exterior’s aesthetic on the neighborhood.

Thursday’s meeting will address issues and procedures to get the approval process started. The DRC will entertain the site plan approval application, as well as rezoning and plat applications.

While 1:30 p.m. on a Thursday may not be convenient or feasible for many residents to attend, remember that this is the start of the process and there will be other meetings, many in the evening, to give additional feedback.

Andrews Ave. Project

During their meeting on July 25, the DRC took a look at the latest plans for a mixed use project on north Andrews Ave. The development will occupy 2916-2920, 2932, and 2980, right where Andrew's Diner once sat.

The project will have 54 multifamily units and about 1900 square feet of commercial use. Board members gave input on the plan, praising upgrades to the planned exterior and also making suggestions for continued update.

The developer took the notes and will return with an updated proposal.