The beginning of the year is an especially busy time for many of us. If you couldn’t attend the State of the City in January, you missed quite an event. We discussed the future of Milton in 2020 and beyond.
Some of the highlights included the new Public Safety Complex on Highway 9, which will house the Milton Police Department, Municipal Court, and the new Fire Station 44; the recently purchased sports fields on Cox Road that will offer additional recreational opportunities; the growth of downtown Milton; and the continued enhancements to roads, which will improve your daily travels.
Over the past several years, Milton has become one of the most desired cities to live and raise a family in Georgia. Our award-winning schools, annually recognized public safety, and celebrated quality of life play an essential role. But, most residents say our rural heritage and scenery are what sets our city apart. Milton truly is an oasis in metro Atlanta.
The fabric of this community is tightly woven around our rural and equestrian heritage. In 2020, we’re seeking to further preserve this legacy through three bold initiatives: drafting legislation for equestrian and agricultural zoning to conserve and enhance our culture, continuing to purchase properties to save greenspace from future development, and revising and streamlining an updated tree ordinance.
We’re also assessing the current and future needs of our agricultural community, so we can propose regulations that will accommodate agriculture friendly land use, such as incentivizing rural and equestrian developments to maintain the character of our city. Likewise, we are evaluating how current regulations impact agricultural operations, and we are developing new regulations to encourage the preservation of equestrian uses.
To conserve additional land and protect it from development in Milton, the City has purchased more than 390 acres since 2018. This land will be used solely for passive parks, trails, and greenspace, including conservation land, wildlife habitats, and natural areas. With $6 million remaining in our Greenspace Fund, we will continue to search for properties in order to protect additional natural areas.
We also recognize that trees are a community asset. Besides their positive environmental impact, trees play an important role in creating Milton’s relaxing atmosphere. With this in mind, we’re revising our tree ordinance. Instead of measuring trees by the diameter of the trunk, our new improved regulations will measure trees by their canopy size, which has proven to be a better gauge of the tree’s “value.” The canopy is what provides shade, air and water filtration, stormwater reduction, as well as a habitat for numerous birds, insects, and animal species.
We’ve accomplished much since Milton’s formation, and our efforts have created the foundation for us to achieve more in the coming decade. Together, we will deliver on the promises of preserving our heritage and improving our quality of life.
to your business!