Politics & Government
City Of Milton: Council Poised To Vote On Adopting Milton's 2040 Comprehensive Plan
City Council meets Monday to vote on adopting the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, a critical, forward-looking document laying out a community-d ...
10/01/2021 4:36 PM
City Council meets Monday to vote on adopting the 2040 Comprehensive Plan, a critical, forward-looking document laying out a community-driven vision and strategic action programs aimed at making Milton an even better place to live, work and play.
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Since summer 2020, the Comprehensive Plan has been shaped by virtual and in-person opportunities for citizens’ input, extensive work by the Plan’s Project Team, and productive meetings involving a valuable appointed civic group known as CPAC. You can track that progress, view relevant presentations and videos, and generally learn more about Milton’s comprehensive planning at www.cityofmiltonga.us/ComprehensivePlan.
The Council had voted in August to submit a version of this Plan to the Atlanta Regional Commission and the state’s Department of Community Affairs. The document that will be considered Monday is the same as the one submitted, indicating regulators general approval of Milton’s approach. You can view it HERE: https://www.cityofmiltonga.us/home/showdocument?id=5140.
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The Comprehensive Plan vote is just one of several items on the Oct. 4 meeting’s agenda. Starting at 6 p.m., people can attend in-person in City Hall’s Council Chambers. Or they should be able to watch it live at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSRFgV1SqvU&list=PLpkXg669ndraOKwljbKfRZ5MnBf0jWSIL&index=33. (If there are technical difficulties, the full meeting video should be posted online within 48 hours.)
As is customary, this Regular Meeting is divided into sections that have unique parameters. They are:
- The CONSENT AGENDA, which consists of routine items that are generally not discussed individually and are voted upon collectively in one up-and-down vote
- REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS is where you’ll find proclamation, City staff reports, and presentations during which details and proposals may be offered with the intent of the Council offering verbal direction but not taking any vote
- FIRST PRESENTATION, for certain items appearing on a Council agenda for the first time; they cannot be approved until they appear again (under “Unfinished Business”) at a future Council meeting
- NEW BUSINESS is for items appearing on an agenda for the first time that – after potentially a presentation and discussion – can be voted upon conclusively.
Here are summaries of each item on Monday’s agenda.
- Approval of the September 20, 2021, City Council Meeting Minutes.
The Council will vote on the “minutes”— or official written record – from when it last convened on September 20. At this meeting, the City’s budget for Fiscal Year 2022 (which runs from Oct. 1, 2021, to Sept. 30, 2022) was unanimously approved. Assistant City Manager Bernadette Harvill’s detailed, 172-page budget presentation – which breaks down estimated revenues and expenditures across several funds – can be found HERE: https://www.cityofmiltonga.us/home/showpublisheddocument/5095/637673906256170000. This meeting also included a discussion about three intersection improvements and the part of the City Code pertaining to alcohol-related businesses. You can read a recap HERE: https://www.cityofmiltonga.us/Home/Components/News/News/997/1351. The corresponding video is HERE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1csby0KNmU&list=PLpkXg669ndraOKwljbKfRZ5MnBf0jWSIL&index=2&t=9347s.
- Approval of the Financial Statements and Investment Report for the Period 11 -August 2021.
This relates to the City of Milton government’s financial statements and investment report for the month of August.
- Approval of an Agreement between the City of Milton and Global Music Rights, LLC. Granting the City Legal Authorization to Play Shares of the Global Music Rights, LLC Represents in City Spaces.
This agreement, if approved, would allow for the City to play certain songs (in Global Music Rights’ catalogue) at public events.
- Approval of a Construction Services Agreement between the City of Milton and AAA Tree Experts Group, LLC for the Removal of Hazardous Trees at Providence Park.
Several dead trees have been found in Providence Park. With this agreement, AAA Tree Experts would remove those hazardous trees to make the Park safer as well as help neighboring trees and vegetation thrive.
This agreement would allow for thermoplastic striping (which are instantly-drying road lines that are reflective and visible at night) and raised pavement markers (which are small, reflective, often square features) to be added on certain Milton roads.
This is an agreement for Data Media Associates to handle the printing and mailed distribution of the City’s property tax bills to Milton property owners.
This relates to a proposal to divide a nearly 10-acre parcel off Birmingham Road into three separate tracts, each of which would be three or more acres. In Milton, AG-1 zoning mandates that each lot must be at least 1 acre. Development proposals that comply with these zoning standards are permitted “by-right” and cannot be rejected if they meet all of the necessary requirements. At 3 and more acres, these would be considered large lots and beyond what is allowed "by-right."
REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS
After compiling an impressive 24-2 summer season record, the 7U Hopewell Mustangs baseball team advanced to win the Georgia State Championship. That earned them a berth in the Dizzy Dean World Series in Mississippi. The Mustangs rose to the occasion once more, besting teams from around the Southeast to be crowned champion. This proclamation honors this team for their hard work, skills and great attitudes – all of which have made Milton proud.
The City purchased the former Milton Country Club in 2018, intent on using some of its space for “active” Parks and Recreation programming (including swimming and tennis) while most of the 130-plus acres was set aside for “passive” use. Subsequently, a Master Plan for this property was developed incorporating citizens’ and officials’ input. (You can view that HERE: https://www.cityofmiltonga.us/home/showpublisheddocument/2636/637303382605700000.) The concept for the passive area featured a vision of natural trails winding through the FMCC, the first of which are now under construction, and restoration of the land (including stormwater) to a natural passive park. This and other such efforts require a sound strategy to address stormwater issues, especially considering the water features – including ponds and Chicken Creek – on the property.
On Monday, Public Works Director Sara Leaders will make a presentation on City staff’s considerations and proposals related to stormwater at the FMCC. She’ll seek Council members’ guidance before moving forward with any approach.
The Providence Park Master Plan (as seen here https://www.cityofmiltonga.us/home/showpublisheddocument/2728/637316164136670000) called for numerous improvements to the 42-acre nature-lover’s haven in the heart of Milton. Right now, crews are working on two such projects -- a new ADA-accessible trail and a pier and pavilion overlooking Providence Lake. (More on those can be found here: https://cleargov.com/georgia/fulton/city/milton/projects/1244/providence-park.) This agenda item relates to another important upgrade from that Master Plan, namely to add permanent restrooms for visitors to use.
After receiving a grant from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for one restroom design, the City had sought bids from builders. Those came in higher than City staff’s hopes and expectations. As a result, the City requested an extension on this State grant funding as well as a more modest proposal for a suitable prefabricated restroom facility.
On Monday, Parks and Recreation Manager Tom McKlveen will present some restroom design options. City Council members can then share feedback that will guide staff’s actions going forward.
FIRST PRESENTATION
In September, Assistant City Manager Bernadette Harvill addressed the Council about potential alterations to Chapter 4, the part of the City Code that deals with alcohol-related businesses. She walked officials through an extensive overview of Chapter 4, suggested a number of changes, and solicited their input. This item reflects City staff’s proposed amendments affecting a range of matters based on that discussion.
NEW BUSINESS
This moratorium, if approved, would prohibit the City from accepting (and, thus, approving) business applications for craft beer and wine markets, limited tap establishments (with five or fewer beer taps), and limited service restaurants (that sell alcohol on premises) for 120 days. This comes amid a broader review to the part of the City Code pertaining to alcohol-related businesses, with numerous potential changes forthcoming in the next few months.
As described earlier in this preview, Milton’s 2040 Comprehensive Plan guides City government projects, priorities and policies for at least the next five years. It incorporates months of analysis, research and – most importantly – public feedback to outline what Milton should look and feel like 20 years from now, then detail what steps the City should take to realize that goal.
On Monday, the Council can vote to formally adopt the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. It should remain in effect until the City’s next update, which should be finalized in five years (in 2026).
This pertains to the City's 2021 Capital Improvement Element (CIE) Annual Update (which relates to the City’s Impact Fee program for Fiscal Year 2020, which ran from Oct. 1, 2019, to Sept. 30, 2020). This required document was prepared by the City's impact fee consultants, Ross+ Associates. The document was reviewed by staff, a public hearing was held before the Mayor and City Council, and the Council approved a resolution to transmit the draft 2021 CIE Annual Update for State and regional review.
The Atlanta Regional Commission and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs have reviewed the 2021 Capital Improvements Element Annual Update and, in a recent letter, found it to be consistent with all State and Regional requirements. In light of that, the City Council can now vote Monday on a resolution to officially adopt this document.
The state Department of Natural Resources administers the Georgia Outdoor Stewardship Program to disperse grants and loans that, among other things, “support local parks and trails” as well as “protect critical conservation lands.” The City of Milton is looking to apply for such a grant to help fund improvements for new trails and hydrology work in the passive part of the former Milton Country Club. The deadline for the first phase of this application process is October 15.
This press release was produced by the City of Milton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
