City Council offered official direction Monday to explore adding language to City Code to mention golf carts when explaining rules regarding personal transportation vehicles, or PTVs – an effort that would bring Milton in line with other cities and could provide clarity to citizens.

This discussion followed a presentation by City Attorney Ken Jarrard that outlined how the State and other cities define golf carts in relation to PTVs as to what is allowed on public streets. Jarrard noted some mention the idea of making golf carts “street legal” so they comply with applicable laws.

He detailed how several cities – specifically Flowery Branch, Roswell, Woodstock, Canton, and Duluth – handle this matter in their ordinances. Each mention the term “golf cart” somehow in a colloquial sense when explaining PTVs, in an apparent acknowledgement to how many people visualize such vehicles.

No changes to Milton’s City Code were made Monday. Yet Jarrard did propose language for a future amendment that could offer “intention [and] clarification” while aligning Milton’s approach with that of other cities. It would describe PTVs to include “vehicles traditionally called golf carts so long as they satisfy this definition [including required safety measures] and otherwise comply with City Code.”

Eight White Columns residents (plus one from another HOA community) spoke about the matter on Monday. They called for amending City Code verbiage to explain the PTV-golf cart distinction and said HOA covenants should apply regarding whether such vehicles are allowed on their neighborhood’s streets.

Councilmembers expressed a common view that each HOA, through its covenants, could determine if personal transportation vehicles could be driven in their neighborhoods. They discussed the matter further, with several posing questions to Jarrard. Mayor Jamison said he’d prefer to hear the opinions of people in other subdivisions before making changes to City Code on this matter.

Ultimately, the Council passed a motion calling for the City Attorney to draft language along the lines of what he had proposed. This would have to go before Council for an eventual vote to determine whether it will become part of City Code.

PROCLAMATIONS HONOR THOSE WHO SAVE LIVES, SACRIFICED LIVES AT WAR

This discussion came at the very end of a meeting that began with more than 30 minutes of public comments (most of which related to the City’s handling of its next municipal election), followed by the approval of a Consent Agenda that included City agreements with: 

• Brumbelow-Reese and Associates to do survey work related to the construction of a new Fire Station 45 on City-owned land by the Birmingham Highway at Providence Road roundabout
• IP Construction to create a multiuse path along the north side of Mayfield Road (between Mayfield Park and Freemanville Road), resurface Mayfield Road, and add a mid-block crosswalk
• Rukhsana Alam to lead specialized Zumba fitness classes (with a Bollywood theme) as a Milton Parks and Recreation program partner
• Cooper & Company to replace a damaged piping system at the site of the being-rebuilt Fire Station 42 along Thompson Road

This was followed by a pair of proclamations. The first celebrated those who work daily to save lives, the other honored those who gave their lives for our country.

The City formally recognized May 21-27 as EMS Week – and in so doing Milton firefighters, all of whom are either emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or paramedics.

These firefighters serve as front-line medical responders for issues ranging from strokes to broken bones to choking to seizures. In Milton, they also provide proactive education and preventive care to bring health care and information to those who would benefit.

After Milton firefighters earned applause and then posed for a picture, Mayor Jamison read a second proclamation recognizing May 29 as Memorial Day in Milton.

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor the over 1 million American troops who died fighting for our nation and its ideals, from the Revolutionary War to recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The City will honor these fallen U.S. servicemen and women during a ceremony starting at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 29, at The Green at Crabapple Market. In the event of rain, this event will move across Heritage Walk to City Hall. All are welcome to attend.

PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT WELCOME ON COX ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

Public Works Director Sara Leaders then offered a presentation on a multi-faceted, multi-jurisdictional effort to improve safety and traffic flow along Cox Road.

The City will work with the City of Roswell and Georgia Department of Transportation to address Cox Road’s intersections with State Route 140/Arnold Mill Road, Etris/Ebenezer roads, and King Road – as well as driveways to Legacy Park, the Porter Academy, and Ebenezer Methodist Church.

Leaders went through each of the intersections, laying out their crash histories as well as preliminary proposals as to how they might be upgraded.

Citizens can weigh in themselves starting Tuesday through https://planningatpond.com/cox-road -- an information-filled, interactive web portal with maps where they can share thoughts as well as “like” or “dislike” others’ views. They can also take a brief and important survey accessible on that same online portal.

Between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, anyone can come to Legacy Park (at 170 Cox Road) for an “open house” to ask questions, view proposals, and personally share opinions with project team members.

And anytime, people can learn more about this TSPLOST-funded project at www.miltonga.gov/CoxRoad.

USE PERMIT GRANTED FOR INDOOR WEDDING SPACE IN CRABAPPLE

Also on Monday, the Council voted unanimously to grant a use permit to Sometheme Weddings & Events for an “Assembly Hall/Indoor Auditorium.” The applicant plans to host “high-end” weddings and events on the entire third floor of 3100 Heritage Walk, which is a 4,000-square foot space in a Market District at Crabapple building currently under construction.               

Planner II Michael Cardamon walked the Council through terms of the use permit as well as the public meeting process – during which the Planning Commission recommended approval and no significant opposition was raised – that culminated in Monday’s vote. Among other things, the applicant stated: 

• No more than 150 people would be in the space at a time
• Amplified music would only be played inside the building
• Meals would come from licensed caterers, with no cooking (beyond possible re-heating) on-site
• There is a parking partnership between the applicant and Silos Professional Building down Crabapple Road, so people could park at that off-site location and be transported to the venue

The applicants confirmed Monday that their business would comply with use permit terms, including related to hours of operations for deliveries of mostly food and flowers. They also vowed that shuttle buses would not pass through residential areas.

Councilmember Paul Moore opined that the business will be a “great asset” to Milton. “What a wonderful way to bring some vitality to our downtown area,” he added.

Mayor Jamison seconded that view, saying “we’re looking forward to” Sometheme Weddings & Events opening their business.

Following Monday’s meeting, Milton’s City Council is next scheduled to convene on June 5.