Citizens, we know you are frustrated to learn that Council has approved a rezoning to allow higher density on 3 parcels on Hopewell Road.  This approval comes despite overwhelming citizen opposition to such rezonings and other developer schemes to skirt Milton’s current zoning to achieve higher density and inflated profits.  However, there is silver lining in Council’s rezoning approval . . . the debate over land use in Milton has been clearly defined:

• Either the Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP) will be followed or not. The CLUP is Milton’s strategic plan for land use.  It was just approved by Council 7 months ago.  The CLUP is developed through a rigorous year-long process by a 17-member committee.  It involves a lot of citizen input.  The CLUP is City Council’s contract with citizens regarding land use.  However, with the latest rezoning, the CLUP was summarily disregarded.
• Either Milton’s Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Fulton County regarding sewer will be followed or not. The IGA governs where sewer is allowed.  It was a compromise developed through a lot of debate and hard work.  The IGA was also summarily disregarded by the latest rezoning.
• Either the Planning Commission’s recommendations will be seriously considered or not. The latest rezoning is just the latest example of Council overruling the Planning Commission, who (along with staff) unanimously recommended denial of the rezoning.  The Planning Commission cited the CLUP and IGA in its decision.  The Planning Commission always respects the Rule of Law; Council often does not.
• Either we will reject sewer extension (including authorizing residential community septic) or not. The latest rezoning will require Council to approve another ordinance to extend sewer to the subject property.  During Council’s rezoning discussion, one council member suggested that Council revisit the sewer map to “clean it up.”  Citizens, beware!  This is likely a ploy to extend sewer under the guise of “correcting” the sewer map.
• Either Council will focus on solving the problems of Milton (like traffic congestion) or it will be consumed with ridiculous zoning requests into eternity. Council needs to draw a bright line in the sand regarding developers’ rezonings and variances that increase density:  Zero Tolerance.  The latest rezoning has now opened the door to a new wave of developer requests.  This means Council and City staff will spend inordinate amounts of time and resources on these requests vs. solving the City’s worsening problems, such as traffic congestion and strain on our infrastructure.
• Either Council will respect the views of citizens or not. After all, how many petitions will it take to convince Council to listen to us?  How many times do we need to pack Council chambers to get our point across?  How many letters do we have to write before our message is received?

The Hopewell rezoning has provided clarity to citizens.  That is good.  Citizens will have a choice at the ballot box in 5 months.  Three council members fall clearly on the side of developers; they vote for nearly every developer request, no matter how ridiculous, that comes before them.  They are a lost cause.  One council member falls clearly on the side of citizens; he will never vote for any developer request that increases density.  Unfortunately, there are 3 council members straddling the divide who will need to clarify their positions in the coming months; hopefully, they will side with citizens.