City Council participated Monday night in a constructive, vital discussion about Milton’s upcoming Comprehensive Plan Update, with a special focus on the future of Deerfield.

The City has been working on this Update for months through intentional research and analysis, five Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee meetings, and opportunities for citizens to share input like last week’s “Open House.” John Tuley, from the City’s project team, explained Monday that this document “is meant to build on the plan that was adopted five years ago.” 

In other words, it will not be a wholesale rewrite of Milton’s Comprehensive Plan. Rather, it will carry-on the vision and values spelled out in the current version, incorporate elements of other recent Council-approved plans, and refine policies and recommendations. The Update will also (like the current Comprehensive Plan) outline “short-term work program” priority projects that can guide City decision-makers. 

During Monday’s presentation, the project team shared the general direction, much of it shaped by CPAC and public input, across five broad categories. Deerfield came up several times within the context of these discussions. 

For example, Tuley noted how the City might learn from the lessons and successes of the Crabapple area’s buildout and replicate them in an evolving Deerfield. When talk shifted to economic development, Councilmember Jan Jacobus asked how the City could facilitate an efficient, effective, cohesive Deerfield that can both build and maintain momentum. 

This spurred back-and-forth on what can be done – on top of rezoning measures approved earlier this year –“to truly make the vision of Destination Deerfield happen,” said Jacobus. It was pointed out how Deerfield differs from Crabapple, especially in being more spread-out and without a primary developer driving the initiative. 

City Attorney Ken Jarrard brought up potential “tools … in the toolkit” that could proactively support a productive “public-private relationship” to shape Deerfield’s evolution on a large scale. Ultimately, City staff agreed to explore the alternatives and bring those details to Council to potentially act upon. 

A Public Hearing on the Comprehensive Plan Update is expected to be held at Council’s August 3 meeting, at which time a draft short-term work program list should be available for review. The Update must then be submitted for State (by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs) and regional (by the Atlanta Regional Commission) review before an October City Council vote on its adoption.

PROGRAM PARTNERS, TRI SCAPES JOIN STAFF CELEBRATING PARKS AND REC MONTH

Monday’s meeting began with a pair of general public comments, after which the Council unanimously approved the meeting’s Consent Agenda. This included agreements between the City and:

• Basil Family Farm to offer agricultural-related classes, workshops, and programs out of City facilities
• Transcenders Consulting Group to help the City identify risks, gaps, decision points, and operational readiness considerations to support the implementation of the City’s Human Resources Information System
• Pardue Family Foundation Center for the City’s use of that facility at the corner of Cox and Arnold Mill roads for a Parks and Recreation summer program (specifically, a musical theater camp)
• Tyler Technologies to authorize the purchase of its Enterprise Permitting and Licensing module, which includes Business Licensing functionality
• Fulton County’s government to establish the framework for the collection and distribution of revenues generated by TSPLOST III if voters in Fulton County (which includes Milton) approve the corresponding ballot measure this fall

Mayor Peyton Jamison then read a proclamation recognizing July as Parks and Recreation Month in Milton. It pointed out how the City’s parks, greenspaces, and “growing number of valuable programs, activities, and events” that collectively enhance quality of life. The proclamation credited Milton Parks and Rec’s “hard-working, hard-playing” team who “constantly look for ways to improve parks and nature trails, forge worthwhile relationships with citizens and program partners, and serve our community in ways big and small.”

Representatives of many groups involved in this success – including athletic organizations, program leaders, as well as Tri Scapes workers who help maintain Milton parks – joined City staff for a group picture with Council after the proclamation was read.

NEW GIS TECHNICIAN, FIRE STATION IMPROVEMENTS PROPOSED

Monday’s meeting kicked off public discussions of the City’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which will run from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. Every year, City staff intentionally hold such presentations before a millage rate is adopted to give Council a better understanding of funding needs and requests before that vote happens. The final budget vote is set to take place on September 21.

Deputy City Manager Bernadette Harvill explained this process, as well as how the budget will take into account prioritization feedback offered during previous budget cycles. It will also be affected by plans underway (like a Strategic Plan Update and the aforementioned Comprehensive Plan Update) and whether voters approve a third round of TSPLOST funding for transportation improvements in November. 

Several proposals were touched on Monday night. IT Director Ashley Smith, for example, spoke about the City potentially bringing aboard a GIS Technician focused on handling routine requests; maintaining pertinent data, layer, and map updates; and performing quality control and basic analysis. This new hire would address growing demand for GIS services internally and externally while diminishing the City’s outsourcing needs. 

Deputy Fire Chief Alex Fortner talked about possible improvements at Fire Stations 41 and 43, namely replacing outdated apparatus bay doors with newer high-speed versions. These open in four seconds, compared to 22 seconds for the current versions – small moments that can make a big difference for firefighters responding to crises. 

Parks and Recreation Director Tom McKlveen then explained a proposed update to Milton’s Comprehensive 10-Year Parks and Recreation Master Plan. This would cover “the full spectrum” of Parks and Recreation-related facilities, spaces, trails, programs, and more, according to McKlveen. The public would have multiple opportunities to help shape this plan, which can serve as a framework for future capital investments. 

The next public budget discussion – which will delve into 5-year operating forecasts, among other topics – will happen at the Council’s July 20 meeting.

TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF DATA CENTER-RELATED MORATORIUM

The City Council approved a pair of alcohol business licenses to the new owners of two establishments. One is for New York Butcher Shoppe and Wine Bar along Crabapple Road in downtown Milton, while the other relates to the Extra Mile Chevron convenience store along Arnold Mill Road.

Right after these votes, the Council adopted proposed amendments to its current Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Harvill had presented a detailed overview of what’s in the amendments, as they relate to the City’s general and special revenue funds, at Council’s June 15 meeting. On Monday, she gave a higher-level overview of the revenue and expenditure changes. 

This was followed by the approval of a conflict waiver for the Jarrard & Davis law firm to represent both the cities of Milton and Alpharetta for a planned intersection improvement at the intersection of Green and Arnold Mill roads. This is needed because at least a small portion of this project will require the City of Milton to acquire land that’s in Alpharetta. 

Monday’s meeting ended with a short-term extension of various applications related to the creation and operation of data centers in Milton. Jarrard, the City Attorney, described this as a housekeeping matter to satisfy legal advertising requirements before a public hearing at the Council’s July 20 meeting, at which time a longer-term moratorium can be enacted. 

The City Council’s next Regular Meeting is scheduled for July 20, as there will be no Work Session next week.