Milton, GA
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An Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) is a growth management tool used by communities nationwide to limit dense urbanization within designated geographic areas of a city. The 2040 Comprehensive Plan includes a proposed UGB initiative to help preserve Milton's rural landscape and character while more clearly defining (and thus supporting) its denser, more commercial areas like around Crabapple and Deerfield/Highway 9.
In the early 2000s, the City reached an agreement with Fulton County to limit sewer lines in Milton's rural areas -- a step that has helped keep more than 90% of land within Milton city limits as low or very low-density residential areas. Urban Growth Boundaries provide an extra layer of protection, and clarity, beyond this. They also better define districts where commercial land uses can be, and are, more concentrated. This goal is that the people can enjoy Milton's rural lifestyle while having access to "urban" amenities.
On March 28, 2023, the Stakeholder Committee unanimously voted to recommend a final draft version of the UGB map -- which defines the urban growth boundaries for Milton’s future land use. Milton's Mayor and Council members will consider adopting this map at its May 1, 2023, meeting.
If you have any questions or comments regarding this project, please, contact City Planner Shubha Jangam at (678) 242-2539, or via email shubhangi.jangam@miltonga.gov.
Will the City rezone my property if UGBs are adopted? No. The City would not initiate any rezoning or change any land use even with UGBs in place.
What are major benefits of a UGB? They can provide another element of City control (beyond sewer lines) over the pace and extent of "urban" growth.
Will Milton have to reach any "intergovernmental agreements" with other cities or Fulton County for this to be enacted? No. While the sewer agreement was with Fulton County, UGBs would be only about the City of Milton. No other government is involved.
Would UGBs be permanent? Not necessarily. City leaders can review, and potentially revise, UGBs as part of their Comprehensive Planning process (which the State of Georgia requires to take place every five years). So boundaries could change, or they could stay the same.
Where else have UGBs been implemented? As of late 2022, 11 states mandated UGBs in cities and/or counties. Some of the more well-known examples include Lexington, Kentucky; Portland, Oregon; and Lancaster, Pennsylvania. You can learn about some of these examples and the general process -- much like Milton's UGB stakeholder group did -- by reading this American Planning Association document, found HERE.
If I have a question or comment about UGBs in Milton, who can I contact? You can reach out to City of Milton Senior Planner Shubhangi (Shubha) Jangam by email at shubhangi.jangam@miltonga.gov.
The City held several public stakeholder meetings focused on Urban Growth Boundaries in late 2022 and early 2023. Click on the video links next to the corresponding date to watch these meetings.
- NOVEMBER 30, 2022 (UGB kickoff meeting) -- WATCH VIDEO
- JANUARY 31, 2023 (2nd stakeholder meeting) -- WATCH VIDEO
- FEBRUARY 27, 2023 (3rd stakeholder meeting) -- WATCH VIDEO
- MARCH 28, 2023 (4th stakeholder meeting) -- WATCH VIDEO | MAP
- MAY 1, 2023 (City Council meeting and vote on map adoption) -- WATCH ON VIDEO