Wildwood launches yearlong master plan update; committee to lead outreach, tackle town center, stormwater and housing

Mayor Eric Garretano and city planning staff opened the City of Wildwood’s Master Plan Update Committee with an orientation meeting that set a roughly yearlong timetable, outlined public‑outreach plans and identified priorities including the town center, stormwater and erosion control, the Village Green project and housing availability.

The mayor told the 23‑member committee that the master plan is foundational to local land‑use decisions, noting Wildwood’s size and fiscal limits: the city covers about 68 square miles with approximately 35,417 residents and does not collect a municipal real‑estate tax, making it reliant on the county “pool” sales‑tax distribution. “As members of the committee know that you are the voice of the citizens of Wildwood,” Mayor Eric Garretano said, urging members to be candid and active throughout the process.

The master plan update is intended to guide zoning and development for years to come and is tied to the city charter, which requires local zoning to be consistent with the master plan. City staff described a process that will include consultant support, digital and in‑person outreach and multiple public comment opportunities before the Planning and Zoning Commission and, ultimately, city council review.

Joe Funich, director of Planning and Parks, gave logistics and process details, including technology plans and facilitation. He…