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Milton crowd sounds off Proposed hotel draws exchange from both sides
By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com
ALPHARETTA, Ga. – North Fulton County residents faced off again with developers of a hotel proposed on the Milton/Alpharetta border this week, voicing support and opposition for the project. Representatives for the proposed Crabapple hotel met with members of the Alpharetta and Milton community on July 20, during an information open house at Alpharetta City Hall. Comments opposing the hotel again vastly outnumbered those in support, with many returning focus to safety concerns over the project’s proximity to The Goddard School Crabapple and the safety of residents that walk down Crabapple Road. “There have been numerous times where I’ve almost been run over and have been stopped by random people,” Milton resident and Milton High School Student Adelina De La Rosa said at the meeting. “It’s not good. This hotel can bring more of that.” Others said they just haven’t gotten enough information about the project from the developers and haven’t liked the parts they have heard. “I desperately want to feel better. Because I believe every community should be problem resolution oriented.” Debra
Fulton County seeking 60% increase in share
By ALEXANDER POPP alex@appenmedia.com
ALEXANDER POPP/APPEN MEDIA
For nearly two hours on July 20, residents of Alpharetta and Milton were able to voice questions and concerns about the proposed Crabapple hotel project. Braun, owner of The Goddard School Crabapple said. “My point is, I’m waiting to hear solutions that can actually make me feel better now that we’ve brought our concerns. And I think we all collectively are saying we’re not hearing those things.” But several residents at the meeting said that safety concerns over the hotel are being overhyped and the cities of Milton and Alpharetta are very capable of keeping the community safe. Milton Resident Jack Berube said he is worries about his daughter’s safety like every other parent.
“But at the same time, I think to assume a hotel translates into child trafficking, stealing kids, all that … I just think it’s short sighted when there are very capable police officers in the city of Milton,” Berube said. Berube said he thinks people are looking too closely at potential negative outcomes, however unlikely they may be, and are ignoring the huge benefits he sees in the development. “I’m in favor of opportunities to create
See HOTEL, Page 6
Election committee member may face charges in 2020 vote probe
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Cities, county squabble over new formula for sales tax FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — Area mayors fired off statements last week decrying a bid by Fulton County to keep a larger share of the countywide local option sales tax. At stake is $252 million collected countywide each year that cities rely on to help fund hundreds of expenses, from park maintenance to light bills and almost everything in between. In 2020, the city of Alpharetta received $15.5 million, or 5.8 percent of the total LOST collected in the county. Milton received $8.8 million, 3.3 percent of proceeds. Every 10 years, the county and its cities – now 15 in number – renegotiate how money collected from the
See SALES TAX, Page 4