May 24, 2017

Milton’s Planning Commission meets tonight at 6 pm at City Hall in Council’s chambers.  Please consider attending a future Planning Commission meeting and expressing your appreciation and support for the Planning Commission.

The Milton Coalition has closely watched our city government for the last 18 months.  Our representatives attend every City Council meeting.  We also attend other city government meetings, including Planning Commission meetings.  The Planning Commission is a bright spot in our City government.  It is composed of a dedicated group of professionals who render objective recommendations.  We are impressed with the Planning Commission’s unwavering commitment to upholding the original vision of Milton—a vision overwhelmingly supported by Milton’s citizens.  The Planning Commission has shown surprising and refreshing independence.  Despite being frequently overruled by Council, the Planning Commission has adopted and defended principled positions on planning issues.  In reaching its recommendations, the Planning Commission has consistently resisted the pressure of Special Interests and avoided the politics that often dominates our City Council.  Planning Commission members are not afraid to ask tough questions of developers that stand before them.  Milton is a better community because of the Planning Commission.

The Milton Coalition extends its support and thanks to the Planning Commission.  We advocate for an expanded role for the Planning Commission in Milton, including denial and approval authority for some zoning issues–for example, preliminary platting, which staff supports.  Many other communities, including some nearby municipalities, have conferred additional powers on their planning commissions 1) to provide better checks and balances regarding land use and 2) to free up Council time to address issues outside of land use.  Given the Planning Commission’s experience and professionalism, the Milton Coalition believes entrusting the Planning Commission with additional authority would be wise in Milton.

Citizens, please consider attending a Planning Commission meeting to express your appreciation and support for its citizen volunteers.  They especially need our support in light of some council members’ recent public disparagement of the Planning Commission and its recommendations.

Tomorrow’s Post: Development is Key to Understanding Milton’s Government and Politics