Milton’s City Council on Monday night discussed a multi-faceted plan to improve traffic flow and student safety along the southern portion of Birmingham Highway – a concept that’s gotten support from the Georgia Department of Transportation and Fulton County Schools, even as there’s much more to be done.

This area routinely gets clogged during school drop-off times on weekday mornings, especially when it rains. At times, vehicles fill up the Birmingham Highway/Heritage Walk roundabout.

“This circle being jammed is the number one problem we’re trying to solve, especially from a public safety perspective,” said Deputy Public Works Director Rob Dell-Ross, noting how pivotal it is for firefighters and police officers to be able to swiftly respond to emergencies.

Earlier this year, the City contracted with the NV5 Engineering firm to collect data and work together to recommend upgrades for the sake of drivers as well as those on foot, on bike, and in golf carts. The resulting concept layout takes into account that information as well as public input collected online and at an in-person meeting.

Among other things, the proposed improvements include:

• Adding two midblock crossings
• Making a wider 10-foot multi-use path along the road’s eastern side past Crabapple Crossing Elementary School, then crossing to the other side near the Kensington neighborhood entrance and ending at the Six Hills neighborhood
• Extending the northbound right turn lane and creating a much longer dedicated, southbound left turn lane
• Creating two safe crossings across Birmingham Highway for PTVs (such as golf carts)
• Making it more obvious drivers can/should u-turn at the signal in the area (rather than looping through neighborhoods)

Dell-Ross said that Fulton County Schools and the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) “are on board with the concept.”

“They are very happy we’re looking at this,” he added.

GDOT’s support is especially critical because that State agency must approve any changes because Birmingham Highway is also State Route 372. (This is true even with the City using TSPLOST funding to pay for this project.) GDOT’s involvement will also impact the project’s timeline. Dell-Ross on Monday night estimated that engineering work will occur in 2027 and construction will start in 2029.

CITY LAUDS MILITARY, RECOGNIZES NOV. 11 AS VETERANS DAY

This discussion happened well into a meeting that began with the Council’s unanimous approval of the Consent Agenda. This featured agreements between the City and:

• The Atlanta Pétanque League to organize competitions and introduce people to pétanque – a sport that’s a blend of bocce, horseshoes, bowling, and something all its own – in Bell Memorial Park’s parking lot, as they’ve done for several years
• CandiNews Productions to continue running a children’s theater program out of City facilities, such as weekly classes culminating in season-end performances, as well as school break and summer camps
• Eddy Alexander (a marketing, advertising, and public relations agency) to partner with the City on crafting and disseminating marketing and other public relations materials to support the next phase of Milton’s Destination Deerfield initiative
• Mauldin & Jenkins, outlining the scope of services for this accounting firm to conduct an annual audit of Milton’s financial affairs and transactions as required by State law

Mayor Peyton Jamison then celebrated those “who have served our country with honor and dedication” in the U.S. military. He read a proclamation recounting the history of Veterans Day, formally recognizing that holiday on November 11 this year in Milton while lauding the contributions in wartime and peace by men and women who served nobly in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, and Coast Guard. (The City is also inviting veterans and their loved ones to its annual Veterans Breakfast the morning of November 8. If you’re interested in attending, please email rsvp@miltonga.gov.)

After the proclamation was read, Bill Lusk and Nick Satriano from the Milton Veterans Memorial Markers – the non-profit organization behind the bi-annual installation of markers remembering fallen military members with Milton ties, including over 900 last weekend – joined the Mayor and Council for a photo.

EQUESTRIAN COMMITTEE’S BIRMINGHAM PARK INPUT SHARED

Monday’s other agenda item continued a discussion from the previous Council meeting about adding further protection from development and non-passive uses in Birmingham Park in the form of a new conservation easement.

Public Works Director Sara Leaders reviewed relevant background information, such as the plan to put the vast majority of the 200-some acre park’s property under such an easement. And as requested, she shared new highlights of Milton Equestrian Committee members’ thoughts on this initiative, particularly as it relates to equestrian amenities. 

MEC members aligned with Council’s initial feedback on preferring natural surface trails of minimal width (sufficient for pedestrian and horseback riders, but not unnecessarily wider) without new structures alongside them. They supported the addition of a restroom, small pavilions, and expanded gravel parking as needed, but (like the Council) didn’t favor adding a dog park. 

Based off all the feedback received thus far, Leaders walked the Council through potential recommendations to include in a conservation easement area agreement. This would specify what can and cannot be done, with a land trust having authority to ensure that the requirements are met. Members of such a trust still must do some further field work before a conservation easement agreement can come before Council for a vote, according to Leaders. 

“Good stuff,” Mayor Jamison said after Leaders’ presentation. “It’s moving along pretty fast.”

The City Council’s next Regular Meeting is scheduled for November 17.