Milton’s City Council on Wednesday night unanimously approved a conservation easement for 6.7 acres off Birmingham Road, prohibiting that property from being subdivided in perpetuity.

In return, the property owner will receive Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) credits that can be transferred – in an entirely private transaction – to a developer to allow for some increased building density in areas covered under the Crabapple or Deerfield Form-Based Codes.

Zoning Manager Robyn MacDonald explained the City created the voluntary TDR program over a decade ago to encourage owners of 5-plus acre lots (many of them horse farms) to permanently prevent such larger lots from being split up into smaller ones. To learn more about TDRs in Milton, visit https://www.miltonga.gov/government/community-development/land-conservation/transfer-of-development-rights-program.

The conservation easement involves 6.7 acres at 2200 Birmingham Road, at the intersection of Henderson Road. This property consists primarily of pastoral land except for one heavily wooded section. It includes a house, structure housing animals, small greenhouse, and riding arena.

PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZES FEB. 22 AS ARBOR DAY

This vote took place at the end of an evening that began with an invocation by City Church Pastor Billy Lowe.

After a general public comment related to Deerfield, the Council unanimously approved a Consent Agenda that included agreements with:

• ProLogics ITS to supply and install valuable emergency equipment in four new Milton Police Department patrol vehicles
• Geo-Hydro Engineers to conduct machine-drilled soil test borings at select locales on 24.4 City-owned acres off Deerfield Parkway in southeastern Milton to estimate how much rock would have to be removed to develop a new active park there
• The City of Alpharetta to change language in a purchase agreement (but not how much Milton will pay) related to 0.457 acres by North Park for a temporary easement as part of the Big Creek Greenway Extension project

City Arborist Sandra Dewitt then shared the good news that Milton has been named a Tree City USA for the 16^th consecutive year. She also promoted Milton’s Arbor Day celebration – which will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on February 22 at Mayfield Park – before Mayor Pro Tem Jan Jacobus read a proclamation recognizing that same Saturday as Arbor Day in Milton.

Arbor Day is all about planting trees and, in that spirit, attendees will help install five new ones – a Willow Oak and four Autumn Cherry trees – near the Mayfield Road and Baldwin Drive intersection. This Saturday’s event will also feature a make-your-own pine cone bird feeder activity, coffee and hot chocolate from Caribou Coffee, donuts, as well as tree-themed storytime by Todd Williamson, the Branch Manager of the Milton Library. For details, check out https://www.miltonga.gov/Home/Components/News/News/2818/1351.

PRESENTATION ABOUT DEERFIELD’S FUTURE

The other substantive discussion on Wednesday night revolved around Deerfield, an area vital to Milton and its future. In close collaboration with citizens and key stakeholders, the City has been working for months to create a Deerfield Implementation Plan that lays out a dynamic, uniquely Milton vision for this section of southeastern Milton. You can learn more about this initiative at www.miltonga.gov/Deerfield.

Director of Special Projects Bob Buscemi, who is spearheading this effort, began his presentation Wednesday by reflecting on last week’s productive joint meeting of the City Council and Planning Commission that focused exclusively on this project. He noted the project team is working hard to meet key deadlines, saying the Council will have regular opportunities over the coming weeks to share their thoughts incrementally (rather than only at the end of this process).

Buscemi explained that Deerfield – which encompasses an area including what’s off Highway 9, Deerfield Parkway, Webb Road, Windward Parkway, and Morris Road – is “not one-size fits all.”  He outlined four distinct sub-districts that could have different mixes and zoning types.

In the northernmost, for instance, townhomes and multifamily homes might continue not to be permitted. Commercial and single-family detached homes (perhaps on smaller lots) could be allowed by right.

Things could be different in Central and South Deerfield, with townhomes potentially permitted by right, multi-family residences requiring a use permit, and specific conditions attached regardless. The fourth district in this area contains significant amounts of existing office space, thus may have a slightly different character and zoning.

A primary point of discussion in Wednesday’s presentation related to residential-commercial ratios. For all but the northernmost sub-district (which will be more residential), the default is a 50-50 mix. Still, in the other areas, Buscemi noted the Council could adjust the ratio to allow more residential (up to 70%) if the developer adds features the public has requested, specifically:

• Public open space
• Public access trails/trailheads
• Parking structures

Buscemi shared nearby examples of what different mixed-use endeavors look like. Alpharetta City Center, for example, is about 70% residential and 30% commercial; the main part of Halcyon is similar (though as you extend out it’s closer to 80-20); and Avalon is closer to a 50-50 mix.

Councilmembers then asked several questions and offered commentary. Councilmember Doug Hene, for instance, said it would be helpful to Milton residents if the City could expand its commercial tax base (which is currently about 10%, lower than some adjacent communities). There was talk, too, of ensuring the revitalized Deerfield has a uniquely Milton look and feel – something that could be achieved, in part, through linear parks and other elements.

The City Council is next scheduled to convene March 3 for a Regular Meeting.