Milton’s Planning Commission will meet Wednesday for the final time this year to consider two sets of preliminary plats for residential developments, as well as a proposed rezoning off Bethany Bend.

You can find the full meeting packet at this link – https://www.miltonga.gov/government/city-clerk/agendas-and-minutes/ -- under Planning Commission meeting listed for December 20, 2023.

The December 20 meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers. Anyone can attend in person or watch online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHZFSc74GtE.

The Planning Commission is a seven-member board that evaluates and recommends changes to zoning ordinances, subdivision regulations, zoning maps, and overall planning processes. This advisory committee also weighs in on variance requests and is part of the City’s public hearing process, meaning other boards discuss and share views on some topics that it considers.

After voting on approving the “minutes” (or official written record) from its most recent meeting on November 29, the Planning Commission will delve into the first preliminary plat proposal – this one in downtown Crabapple. It pertains to plans to build seven single-family attached homes and one commercial property on a 1.225-acre lot adjacent to City Hall.

The other preliminary plat is for a development being called Blakely Manor off Freemanville Road. The applicant is seeking 36 single-family dwelling lots spread across just over 50 acres.

A different proposed residential development – in a different way – is the focus of the next agenda item, RZ23-10. This applicant is requesting to rezone three lots at 3475, 3485 and 3495 Bethany Bend that total 3.133 acres from AG-1 (which requires 1-acre minimum lots) to R-5A (which allows for greater density). This is part of a plan to build 13 single-family homes on these properties at a density of 4.15 units per acre. This request is consistent with the 2040 Future Land Use Plan Map of High Residential – 2 that allows 5 or more units per acre.

In regard to RZ23-11 pertaining to 12505 Broadwell Road, the applicant has requested a WITHDRAWAL of this item. The Planning Commission needs to vote to withdraw the item since it has been legally advertised.

The Planning Commission next will consider a proposed text amendment, item RZ23-07, to City Code to adopt a new Unified Development Code in Milton. (Only the City Council can approve such text amendments, though committees can share their thoughts.)

The City – particularly the Planning Commission – has been working intently for months to create this Unified Development Code, or UDC. The UDC weaves all code related to development in Milton into a single, more concise, easy-to-understand policy document. You can learn more at www.miltonga.gov/UDC.

The last item on Wednesday’s agenda is a review of the Planning Commission’s by-laws.