Empty Nest
Sponsored section ►►PAGE 20
Don’t leave pets in cars Police receive PETA award ►►PAGE 2
Milton’s ‘First Responders’ foundation Nonprofit helps fire, police ►►PAGE 4
Take off the training wheels! Special needs kids learn to bike ►►PAGE 12
July 22, 2015 | miltonherald.com | 75,000 circulation Revue & News, Johns Creek Herald, Milton Herald & Forsyth Herald combined | 50¢ | Volume 10, No. 30
Milton council grapples with conservation law Outstanding issues remain By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com
Olivia, 5, and Finn Lewis, 2, look at books in the new Milton Library.
JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF
Milton welcomes new library 25K square feet of books, meeting space By JONATHAN COPSEY jonathan@appenmediagroup.com MILTON, Ga. – At long last, Milton has its own public library. Located at the corner of Mayfield Road and Charlotte Drive in the heart of Crabapple, the 25,000-square-foot library features everything one would expect from a library – Internet access, meeting space, public art and, of course, plenty of books. The library held its grand
See MILTON, Page 24
JONATHAN COPSEY/STAFF
Members of Fulton County’s Commission and Public Library Board cut the ribbon to officially open the Milton Library July 16.
TUTORING
DON’T LET YOUR CHILD’S LEARNING STOP JUST BECAUSE SUMMER STARTS.
MILTON, Ga. – As a conservation subdivision ordinance moves toward either adoption or denial, there are still questions to be ironed out. At their work session July 13, the City Council discussed their issues with the conservation subdivision ordinance (CSO), including how it handles sewage and whether it should be mandatory for new development. Conservation subdivisions allow for flexibility in the building code in order to set aside more open land for green space. The ordinance draft for such a plan would require at least 60 percent of the proposed subdivision land to be set aside for green space. It concerns itself with AG-1 land zoning, the typical zoning for single-family homes on 1-acre lots. Much of undeveloped Milton has this zoning. The city’s Planning Commission unanimously denied the ordinance June 24. The city has spent more than a year-and-a-half crafting the ordinance after numerous public meetings, input sessions and experts giving guidance. “It’s great to get all this input,” said Mayor Joe Lockwood. “We have to come up with something that will work for Milton.” Councilmembers voiced their concerns to consultant Don Broussard. One question brought up
The Milton City Council heard the presentation of the Conservation Subdivision Ordinance July 20 at their regular meeting, after this paper went to print. For updates on the meeting, visit NorthFulton.com. was, rather than implement a new law, why not simply “fix” the rules guiding AG-1 zoned land? “Applying some kind of rural road standard to AG-1 might be a step in that direction,” said Broussard. “But no one has said how we get conservation greenspace and protect these areas in coordinated, green ways. That is very hard to do in AG-1 development.” A CSO is specifically designed to do just that, he said. Whether community septic systems would work well enough, and if they fail, who is responsible for them, was another issue. These issues will have to be resolved before any ordinance is passed. “I would hate to throw the whole thing out after a year and a half without addressing some of these final sticking points,” said Councilmember Bill Lusk. “We talk about preserving the rural feel of Milton, but if I drive through Crabapple or Vickery, that’s doesn’t feel rural,” Lockwood said, referring to the amount of traffic and development. Councilmember Rick
SAVE $100*
See COUNCIL, Page 6
when you call before 6/30/15 *Some restrictions apply
678-240-9221
12850 Hwy. 9 N. and Windward Pkwy.