Milton’s City Council signaled openness Monday to advancing to the next phase toward creating a distinct, vibrant District of Mayfield – one that could eventually incorporate a new road, pond, plus a generally unique look and feel for this section of Crabapple.

In 2023, the Council approved text amendments and a broad “concept plan” for this newly formed, nearly 19-acre district that includes properties off Broadwell Road, Charlotte Drive, Mayfield Road and Mid Broadwell Road. That community-driven plan aimed to guide the future development of an area with a “village feel” and family-oriented public spaces.

Private partners are needed turn this vision into a reality. On Monday, Special Projects Director Bob Buscemi noted significant progress on this front – including the purchase of more and more parcels by a single owner interested in developing this area. 

The next step would be for the City to work with outside experts to dive deeper. Engineering Project Manager Rob Dell-Ross explained that a consultant can outline plans for several variables including suitable locations for stormwater infrastructure (including a retention pond), a potential new road and/or other traffic improvements, as well as what land might need to be acquired for this project overall.

The goal, Del-Ross said, would be an approach that “maximizes public benefit while minimizing public cost.” Buscemi added that such preliminary plans can show property owners more clearly what the impacts would be.

Mayor Peyton Jamison and Councilmembers engaged with and ask questions to City staff. For instance, they expressed a preference that a new road be on the narrower side, have a 25 mph speed limit, and correspond to with village style laid out in the concept plan.

No votes were taken at Monday’s meeting. Still, there was openness to pursue an expert contract – with their concept design work potentially being completed by the end of 2025, if not slightly earlier.

For more information on this initiative, visit www.miltonga.gov/DistrictAtMayfield.

PAPEVIES APPOINTED TO TRAILS COMMITTEE

This discussion occurred midway through a meeting that began with six general public comments on a variety of topics. The Council then unanimously approved a Consent Agenda that included agreements with:

• Galls, from which the Milton Police Department can purchase uniforms (with patches added as needed), ballistic panels, and other police equipment

• DocuSign, which the City uses for electronic signatures on certain official documents such as contracts and forms

• Lose Design to work with the City on tasks -- including public involvement, data collection, and scenario analysis – to produce a conceptual design for a new active park on 24.42 recently acquired acres along Deerfield Parkway in southeastern Milton. The creation of construction documents, among other subsequent design tasks, won’t happen until this concept phase is completed. Only after that point will there be a detailed cost estimate for this project.

The Council next approved Neal Papevies’ appointment as the newest member of the Milton Trails Advisory Committee. Councilmember Jan Jacobus nominated Papevies, describing him as a business professional, children’s book author, and proud father of two girls who loves the outdoors – whether it’s cycling, camping, or walking his dogs on Milton trails.

PRESENTATION ON STORMWATER MANAGEMENT

City Engineer Scott Tkach gave his annual (and State-required) presentation related to Milton’s MS4 – which stands for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System – permit on Monday evening as well.

Tkach went over regulatory requirements and relevant history, from the 1972 passage of the federal Clean Water Act to the State of Georgia’s late 2022 issuance of a new 5-year MS4 permit to Milton. He said Milton (like other governments nationwide) must address six minimum control measures to comply with the permit: public education and outreach, public participation and involvement, illicit discharge detection and elimination, construction site stormwater runoff control, post-construction runoff control, then lastly pollution control and good housekeeping. 

The City Engineer noted that Milton conducts regular testing on the health of two waterways. The first is the Little River by Arnold Mill Road along the Cherokee County line. The other is Cooper Sandy Creek, where results have shown steady water quality improvements in recent years.

Milton also recently explored what drainage improvements might be worthwhile citywide. Tkach pointed out much of the stormwater infrastructure predates the City’s 2006 incorporation and, as such, is nearing the end of its useful life. Thirteen projects have been identified citywide, with City staff exploring funding options to pay for them.

TRAIL LOOP SEEN AS KEY TO DEERFIELD-AREA INTIATITIVE

Monday’s other presentation focused on the future of Deerfield, an area that (in this case) includes what’s off Highway 9, Windward Parkway, Morris Road, and Deerfield Parkway.

Buscemi led off by sharing an update about the Georgia Department of Transportation’s work – specifically, clean-up work – on the Milton section of Highway 9 before they halted their expansion effort there. He said that debris has been removed but that GDOT contractors will still add fencing and sod to impacted areas in the coming months. Meanwhile, talks continue with the State agency on aspects of that roadway’s future design such as potential median landscaping, crosswalks, and the speed limit.

The Special Projects Director mentioned the project team’s meetings with subject-specific groups as well as City committees, specifically the Milton Trails Advisory and Design Review Board. He said, too, that an Urban Design Manual is being created so that developers have a clear sense of what the City, and its citizens, would like to see and experience in this area.

The most extensive facet of Monday’s Deerfield presentation recapped extensive public feedback that has been collected in recent months. Allison Bickers, from the City’s partners at Cooper Carry, gave a detailed summation of citizens’ thoughts voiced at a packed “Open House” in September and corresponding online survey (touching on many of the same points) conducted several weeks later.

There was notable consistency in the responses, which generally favored “rural” and “modern farmhouse” designs over contemporary, green areas and shady trees, soft and welcoming lighting, and quaint, family-friendly gathering spots. The consensus was that people wanted Deerfield to stand out on its own rather than mirror other places.

“They don’t want Avalon, they don’t want downtown Alpharetta,” said Councilmember Phil Cranmer, whose district includes this area. “They want Milton. They want something that’s unique.” 

Citizens have also consistently expressed a strong desire for increased connectivity through cohesive multi-use paths. The City’s project team outlined such a trail network – a loop with east-west and north-south connections (the latter being along Highway 9), with developers having the options to add “spur” paths linking up with it. 

Buscemi noted much of this trail network (most of it 10-foot wide paths) has either been created or is in the process of being created, with no needs for substantial public investments beyond what’s already in the works.

The next public Open House will start at 5:30 p.m. on December 11 in the Milton Municipal Court at 13690 Highway 9 (in the back building of the Public Safety Complex). People can learn more about this project at www.miltonga.gov/Deerfield.

COUNCIL MEETING CALENDAR SET FOR 2025

Monday’s meeting concluded with an approved ordinance to reflect updates in the Georgia Municipal Employees Benefit System. The change – which has no financial impact on the City –brings the system in compliance with federal Internal Revenue Service guidelines.

The Council then adopted its meeting calendar for the coming year. This schedule includes three Wednesday meetings (which is fewer than most years) as well as Fulton County School breaks in spring and fall of 2025.

The Council’s next scheduled meeting will take place the evening of Monday, December 2.