At a recent city council meeting in Milton, deliberations over the community's trails and alcohol licensing sparked considerable dialogue among city officials and residents. Reportedly, the Council has taken a step back, withdrawing items related to the Milton Trails Blueprint's revision and postponing the vote on a beverage license for a local event facility. According to information from the City of Milton's official website, the Milton Trails Advisory Committee will now seek additional public input after community members voiced concerns about potential new trails near Hickory Flat Road.
Originating from a plan first adopted in 2007, the Milton Trail Blueprint has undergone several revisions, the last of which was in 2020. The blueprint not only sets requirements for new developments but also acts as a vision for future path projects, which must undergo a separate public process for budgeting and design. However, after Deputy Public Works Director Rob Dell-Ross introduced the update, residents near the proposed trail expressed their unawareness of the changes, citing this as an issue in need of address. Consequently, the City Council voted to withdraw the agenda items in question to facilitate further community engagement, especially with those directly impacted by the proposed changes.
Moreover, the Council deferred a vote concerning the issuance of an alcohol beverage license for Gracious Gatherings, a rural event venue that operates out of the Pardue Family Center. During the council session, it was revealed that police calls and emailed complaints had been made regarding noise and other alleged violations of the use permit conditions. Neighbors in the vicinity, especially those from the Roswell area, took the opportunity to voice their opposition to the license during public comments, as per the city's announcement.
In response to these concerns, the Council, acting upon a suggestion by Councilmember Carol Cookerly, decided to extend the temporary alcohol beverage license instead of finalizing a new one. This move, which allows Gracious Gatherings time to address the neighbors' concerns, was confirmed by City Attorney Ken Jarrard, who indicated that the temporary license can be extended for a short period. A public hearing will be held before the future vote on the permanent license, providing another opportunity for community input, as mentioned on the city's website.
Additionally, the Council addressed several agreements with local businesses and service providers, including the renewal of a food and beverage service agreement with Wanna Play Baseball, a franchise fee pact with Google Fiber to enable its services to Milton residents, and an engineering service contract with Gresham Smith related to the widening project for Highway 9. In other actions, the Council approved the final plat for Elara, a neighborhood slated to add 13 single-family homes off Bethany Bend. The next council meeting is scheduled for December 1.
