WMG
Wilton Manors Gazette
Volume 5 • Issue 9 May 16, 2018
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Commission Moves Forward on Pool Project Parking a major concern; still no solution
By Michael d’Oliveira Commissioner Tom Green said he the one trying to develop the property. wants to see the old Goodwill site The building has been unoccupied since redeveloped into an indoor pool. But Goodwill moved out in 2011. Green said the project “violates the his personal approval of the project was not enough to get over his disapproval whole idea that we were going to try and of its lack of parking and give it his reign-in parking.” The need for more parking, especially professional approval as a commissioner. “It doesn’t even come close [to meeting along Wilton Drive, has been a constant issue within the community and at city the requirements].” At their May 8 meeting, commission meetings for at least the last decade. commissioners approved “We live in Wilton a developer’s agreement Manors. What’s the and restrictive covenant “We live in number one thing we for the property, located hear daily in Wilton at 550 E. Oakland Park Wilton Manors. Manors? Parking. If you Blvd. The lack of parking, were missing 12 spaces, there are 35 spaces when What’s the I could understand. If there should be 151, has number one you were missing 50. been the biggest concern But when it’s this much I regarding the project. thing we hear just . . . people are going The restrictions will to be parking all down prevent the property from daily in Wilton the street. I guess when possibly being used in the Manors? they get towed a couple future as a bar, lounge, times they’ll stop,” adult store, liquor store, Parking.” Green said. casino, funeral home, Paul Kissinger, an and tobacco store. The - Tom Green architect representing rooftop patio will also be commissioner Hammerhead Aquatics, prohibited for use as a said that even knocking restaurant or bar. The vote was 3-2 with Green and the building down still wouldn’t create Commissioner Scott Newton voting no. enough space for parking. In response At a future meeting, commissioners to Green’s concern about people parking will have to approve the rezoning of in residential neighborhoods, Kissinger the property from Light Industrial to said, “We can’t dictate human behavior General Business [B-3]. John Grzeszczak, where they might park. If they get a head coach of Hammerhead Aquatics, is ticket if they get towed, they’re not going
Photo courtesy of Hammerhead Aquatics.
to do it again. Well, we hope they don’t do it again.” Kissinger said people would be cutting down on the amount of parking needed by using buses and carpooling. He also said Hammerhead Aquatics was talking with Walmart and other local businesses to use other nearby lots. “I’m okay with the parking. People will figure it out,” Mayor Gary Resnick said. Newton also talked about parking and expressed a concern with the amount of people special events would bring. Kissinger compared the Goodwill site to the Swimming Hall of Fame in Fort Lauderdale, saying they only have 106 parking spaces but find ways of accommodating the thousands of people who attend special events there. “If we can’t work that out we are not going to have
successful events. We’re going to have to figure that out. We are thinking about this.” Newton also expressed a concern over the concrete wall the Planning and Zoning Board said must be built. The developer wants a wooden fence instead. Newton said his insistence comes from the concerns from some residents he talked to that the concrete wall is needed to reduce the noise that would be generated. He said he’d be willing to give the developer a few years to build it, but “it definitely has to go up.” Commissioner Julie Carson said the city would be relying on Code Enforcement to keep the noise down. If given final approval, the facility would have a 50-meter main pool, a therapy pool, office, gift/pro shop, locker room, outdoor kitchen, and a 5,300 square foot rooftop deck. WMG
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