I am republishing my blog post from June 2016. At the time, developers has found a loophole in Milton’s zoning laws. Specifically, there was an inconsistency between two sections of our code. And as is typical, developers found the inconsistency before city staff. (Unfortunately, developers know our zoning laws much better than staff. This is a big problem with often bad consequences for citizens.) And as is also typical, City staff interpreted the laws to the benefit of developers. (And these same staff are still in the same positions making the same mistakes.) City Council did eventually clarify the laws and approved stronger, more definitive rules on 3-acre minimum lot sizes along gravel roads–albeit more diluted than some of us wished. A few other community advocates and I met multiple times with the residents of Wood Road to assist them with their efforts to preserve 3-acre minimum lot sizes on gravel roads. In addition to advising these residents, I helped residents post the petition to protect Milton’s gravel roads. You can click on the below petition link and sign the petition to protect gravel roads.
Advocating For 3-acre Minimum Lots on Gravel Roads,
Tim
***************************************************************************************
Concerned Citizens:
Since the Milton Coalition was founded in November 2015, we have been involved in pushing a number of initiatives to preserve Milton’s rural character. One initiative has been preservation of the rural landscape along Milton’s 12 miles of gravel roads. Our gravel roads are a treasure and one of the features that distinguish our fine City. The Milton Coalition has advocated that the City adopt a strict interpretation of the requirement for minimum 3-acre lots along gravel roads. We have advocated that the City eliminate lack of clarity in our City code that developers are attempting to exploit to increase density and build homes on 1 acre lots along these gravel roads. Strict interpretation of the City’s existing requirement for minimum 3-acre lots along gravel roads will conserve 100s of acres of land in Milton in one fell swoop.
Unfortunately, the city has recently allowed the subdivision of some properties along gravel roads to allow one-acre lots. Such platting has been approved at the corner of Nix Road and Freemanville Road. Now another subdivision into 1-acre lots has been approved at the corner of Wood Road and Birmingham Highway. The residents of Wood Road are challenging the subdivision. The Milton Coalition stands in solidarity with the residents of Wood Road in opposing these unlawful and reckless subdivisions of property that are increasing housing density (yet again) in the City of Milton and eroding our rural heritage. Wood Road residents have posted a petition to oppose the desecration of our gravel roads and our rural heritage. The Milton Coalition asks citizens to stand strong with the residents of Wood Road. Please sign their petition. And consider leaving a comment. And please forward this e-mail to other concerned citizens. Lastly, consider writing a letter to the mayor, council, and the city manager expressing your support for saving our rural heritage along Milton’s gravel roads.
Following is a link to the petition:
I am also attaching a second link to our Milton Coalition petition opposing cluster housing in un-sewered areas of Milton (in case you have not signed it).
Citizens, thanks for your continuing engagement on these important land-use issues,
With deep civic pride,
The Milton Coalition
A non-partisan group of concerned citizens advocating for clean, competent, courageous, and citizen-centric government
miltoncoalition@outlook.com
Milton Coalition 