[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6259410,"mediaKeyId","3141342-fec85a9ead24fafda27f34d0efe8ce37","parentId",3141342,"title","'Destination Deerfield' text amendments advance after council review; townhome width and incentives highlighted","audioSeconds",2059,"startMs",4660000,"endMs",6719000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141342-fec85a9ead24fafda27f34d0efe8ce37&start=4660&end=6719","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141342-fec85a9ead24fafda27f34d0efe8ce37/thumbnail_4660000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6259410/Milton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Destination-Deerfield-text-amendments-advance-after-council-review-townhome-width-and-incentives-highlighted","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259410-0d1256b994b4ad6b378b273f54387788/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118464&Signature=dy9TSwahsGcinvYHjVvTm3XxQD6CbC1anXuvWacx9mK~TainuHbJAtli4sqHp6bcHxD0HXh2toh~jdEVpakMY7FRbG2gGvXJzp1R5MG5MUgijzvZ4HX8FVh5DpKZvmaQYeT5jvmYpARHiHXS9EhZm16pBsq3543AbouQHBl6XY8WGV2itFOTdHV7U~mTfKLCt8Iq6CJWKilK4hOe-P8tDl5~A9~WaAHpumps5r-sNF7SJ~L2KjauirMAZ1XdCfuGZpA0GMYDzS6rpLADTlXHd2ND5nHNtO~TSHPw2x-7JF8oEPsBJfUxO9SQfZLLukzJFMK~0xD1tTs538XkSVAqrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-04-29T01:11:34.687Z","article","City staff presented a package of text amendments on April 28 to implement the \"Destination Deerfield\" form-based code and regulating plan. The presentation summarized map changes, new subdistrict rules, revised permitted uses and a set of incentives intended to steer development patterns along the Highway 9 corridor.

Bob Buscemi, director of special projects, told council the amendments are the implementation step following community outreach and concept work. \"This is really just gonna represent a lot of the mechanics,\" he said, noting a year-long study and a robust outreach program. Staff said there are four character subdistricts: North Deerfield, Central Deerfield, South Highway 9 and South Deerfield Parkway, and explained changes to the Stone Creek/Stone Creek Church frontage to better align with the corridor character.

Major changes presented

- Subdistricts and map edits: Some areas would allow single-family detached homes on smaller lots in northern sections while reserving higher intensities for other subdistricts. The Stone Creek frontage would be reallocated so the front becomes T5 (higher-intensity mixed use) while the rear stays lower intensity.

- Townhomes and multifamily: Townhouses would be permitted as-of-right in T5 only when part of mixed-use developments; multifamily apartment buildings would require a council use permit. Council discussion focused on townhome minimum widths: staff noted the current code allows townhomes as narrow as 18 feet, and several councilors recommended increasing the minimum to around 28 feet to maintain Milton's character and reduce per-acre density. Buscemi and councilors offered a compromise suggestion of a middle standard near 20–28 feet for T5.

- Incentives and parking structures: The amendments include development incentives intended to increase nonresidential floor area and public amenities. For example, a parking structure that houses 50% of required parking would earn additional residential density; higher amounts of public open space or public trail provisions would also improve allowable residential ratios toward a 70/30 nonresidential/residential policy target mentioned by staff.

- TDRs and heights: Transferable development rights (TDRs) remain in the framework but staff reduced maximum TDR-enabled density in some areas (for example, lowering one allowance from 36 to 16 units per acre). Maximum heights were proposed at eight stories for core commercial in T6 and lower limits in T4.

- Concurrency and ground-floor commercial: Staff proposed requiring nonresidential components be built concurrently with residential components to reduce the risk of residential-only projects that do not deliver promised retail or office uses.

Schedule and process

Buscemi said the package will appear before the Planning Commission on a special-call meeting, have a first read before council May 5, and — if the review process proceeds — be scheduled for adoption May 19 along with an urban design manual.

Why it matters: The amendments set the rules that will guide private development along Highway 9. Council members noted that small changes to dimensional standards and incentive structures could materially affect what projects are built and whether the plan achieves the city's commercial-target goals.

Ending

Councilors asked staff to return with clarified numeric thresholds (for example, proposed minimum townhome widths) and to bring the text to the planning commission for further review prior to the May first read. No binding vote on adoption occurred at the April 28 presentation.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Milton City Council Regular Meeting 04.28.2025","oneSentenceSummary","City staff presented a package of text amendments to implement the Destination Deerfield form‑based code, seeking to codify subdistrict rules, permitted uses and incentives along Highway 9.","taxTitle","Milton, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",51825,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6259415,"Milton council reviews two Deerfield Active Park designs, prioritizes fields and flexibility on amenities",2639,1986000,4625000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141342-fec85a9ead24fafda27f34d0efe8ce37&start=1986&end=4625","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141342-fec85a9ead24fafda27f34d0efe8ce37/thumbnail_1986000.jpg","/articles/6259415/Milton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Milton-council-reviews-two-Deerfield-Active-Park-designs-prioritizes-fields-and-flexibility-on-amenities","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259415-fa72e0788c1ccd58361b598da18c1930/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118464&Signature=M~YJQAcsnc9Ew4RUzk5ReHByJDR1S0e~foKxgu5fTZdoylhpMpTDRdiRKTAzSdIZp1HQqJ4RKclWwOW9mfljTWAHY4gMXS-9XphIekEQWiPZAUA2leO-mJCbKh49PqfCZAFSKoBcP3SVeTgy94Bl4MY0HWucDpwCP9geZB-giRQLQQJaFZlLRvb~kQdk~lAME4FX~NXofscwJ2IWfTvMmArM2Unjgvgjw2qPrXDe0MwfaaUiaRaVrUw-uZuTLputz-oDWlISf4QqKLO2eIuJ2zDM3XCPrAU3V85SYsEoQY6ks1i334EGQlsHMvfePyHce~R2tRVYR7nExtKcUQflcw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Milton City Council members on April 28 reviewed two conceptual designs for Deerfield Active Park and directed staff to prioritize field capacity while keeping flexibility on some auxiliary amenities such as pickleball and a splash pad.

Parks and Recreation Director Tom McElveen and Deputy Director of Public Works Rob Del Ross presented concepts created by consultant Loos Designs that respond to a parks master plan and public input. The concepts both show four diamond-shaped baseball/softball fields clustered on the flattest portion of the 80-foot sloped site, plus two rectangular multipurpose fields intended to serve soccer, lacrosse and other rectangular-field sports.

The council and staff framed the issue as a capacity and engineering trade-off. \"We showed the need for those two multipurpose rectangles and four baseball softball diamonds that will support our recreation programming for years to come,\" McElveen said, summarizing staff analysis of registrations and ideal field capacity. Del Ross noted site constraints and engineering implications: \"There's 80 feet of fall on this property,\" and said terracing and retaining walls would be required; engineering work so far indicates \"we're not anticipating needing walls higher than 10 feet.\"

Why it matters: Milton has a documented shortage of playable field space. Staff said the proposed layouts are intended to meet current program needs and future growth without overbuilding other park features that would reduce field capacity.

Key details and trade-offs

- Field program: Both concepts provide four diamond fields and two rectangular multipurpose fields; field-radius options discussed included multiple 225-foot fields and one or two larger 275-foot fields to accommodate older age groups. Staff said artificial turf is planned for infields and outfields to maximize multiuse.

- Public input: Staff reported roughly 1,000 survey views and about 450 respondents, with walking trails ranking highest among ancillary amenities, followed by playgrounds and pickleball courts.

- Stormwater and detention: Consultants proposed placing underground stormwater detention beneath turf in one option to increase usable surface area. Staff and council discussed cost and constructability; staff said covering detention is workable but more expensive. One councilor said covering detention now is preferable because it is much harder to add later.

- Pickleball and splash pad: Pickleball was popular in public input but raises compatibility concerns (noise, lighting). Councilors and staff favored leaving pickleball in the plan but not locking it to the underground detention location until engineering and budget numbers are clear. Staff suggested showing pickleball in the concept but keeping the option to move or phase it.

- Playground and spectator experience: Park staff and councilors pressed to include a playground near the clustered diamonds so parents and small children can be close to games. Staff said a small, inclusive playground could fit inside the diamond complex or nearby with netting and sightlines planned.

- Parking: Staff said the park requires roughly 400 parking spaces to fully support the fields; providing that much on-site would reduce field area. To avoid losing fields, staff said they are negotiating a short-term shared-parking agreement with the Old City Hall Complex and planned to bring that agreement to council in May.

Council direction and next steps

Councilors emphasized getting the fields right above all. One council member summarized the consensus: prioritize the field sizes and usability first, then add amenities if budget and site engineering permit. Staff were asked to return with refined site plans, cost estimates and the shared-parking agreement for PRAB and then council review. If approved, staff estimated construction documents later in 2025 and potential construction beginning spring 2026.

Public comments

Ben Croft, speaking for Hopewell Baseball, urged the council to \"keep the plans ... baseball dedicated, facility and not multi use,\" citing safety and player experience.

Ending

Staff will refine the designs and budgets, return to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and present a recommendation to council in June. The council did not take a formal vote on a specific concept at the April 28 meeting.

","Milton City Council members on April 28 reviewed two conceptual designs for Deerfield Active Park and directed staff to prioritize field capacity while keeping flexibility on some auxiliary amenities such as pickleball and a splash pad.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6259401,"Public comment highlights equipment-storage complaint; council advances four zoning first‑presentation items",6227,617000,6844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141342-fec85a9ead24fafda27f34d0efe8ce37&start=617&end=6844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141342-fec85a9ead24fafda27f34d0efe8ce37/thumbnail_617000.jpg","/articles/6259401/Milton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Public-comment-highlights-equipment-storage-complaint-council-advances-four-zoning-firstpresentation-items","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259401-d4dc0c8fbd4012e4fa22ada5fa828b8b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118464&Signature=V--RSaEI6154mdWQnywwRIB2umLBLXxbDdg11TGtYTN9VwydTn6hiEA51ewDNEa9uHamwQIGlTPOckJ2h7umatyBeonYdXhgzAnt2QoW3XJzwrSrNrtZmMhFJXI~k78G1klCWfGji0kD5MBWx5x8XRH3YEJC3N29zV41-85JUNWeyfS6IhaWg27E1-6HTxV4rzl8QVN6GJIL2X9lLT1IVeQdv8VrMkukIweUTCPWUZ8u7LM-z~kh5KiI26BgF9O7onLxhDgjuxVqILDKeXnoqq7zg4W5qKEmmcDC0SGjX-AJ1W3gq1~HfDEnzbJbTm4CdNm35bwQS0it08-GIn-S6A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During general public comment at Milton's April 28 meeting, resident and property owner Ben Kopaka described a code-enforcement action concerning heavy equipment on his residential property and urged clearer rules or exemptions for agricultural/home-occupation situations. Later in the meeting the council approved first-presentation motions for four zoning items, including a text amendment clarifying parking of commercial vehicles in agricultural and single-family districts.

Kopaka said he had been cited in September of the prior year for storing a skid steer, mini-excavator, tractor and trailers. He told council he had invited code enforcement to inspect and had moved the equipment to a legally zoned light industrial property after reviewing the cited section of the Unified Development Code. Quoting the ordinance language he was shown, Kopaka read: \"Heavy construction, earthmoving equipment, tractors, or other heavy construction vehicles may only be stored in residential, agricultural, or nonresidential districts during construction associated with an active building permit or land disturbance permit.\" Kopaka said he believes the code is unclear and asked for reasonable application where property owners engage in agricultural activities or personally owned equipment is not part of a business.

Later, in first presentation items, the council considered a set of zoning matters listed on the agenda: a use permit application for a rural event facility at 12900 Arnold Mill Road; a text amendment creating an Arnold Mill Road hamlet overlay; a revision to demolition-permit notification requirements; and a text amendment clarifying commercial-vehicle and equipment parking in agricultural and single-family districts. Council moved all four items forward for public hearings and first-read processing.

Votes and motions

- The meeting approved the consent agenda (which included several recreation and construction agreements) by unanimous vote. The clerk read each consent item before the motion to approve; the motion passed unanimously.

- The council approved the first-presentation items (agenda numbers U-25-01 and RZ-25-01 through RZ-25-04) on a motion by Council Member Jan Jacobus with a second by Council Member Juliet Johnson. The meeting record states the motion \"passes with Council Member Cookerly not present.\" Staff said the items will proceed through the public-notice and hearing process.

Why it matters: Kopaka's remarks flag an implementation and clarity issue in the Unified Development Code that the council is now separately considering in the parking/commercial-vehicle amendment on the agenda. That amendment could alter how and where construction and commercial equipment can be stored on properties in agricultural and single-family zones.

Ending

Staff will return the four zoning proposals for the required public notices and hearings; Kopaka said he has sought legal advice and expects to pursue clarification or appeal through the code enforcement and hearing process if necessary.

","A resident raised a code-enforcement dispute over storage of construction equipment on a residential parcel; later the council voted to move four zoning-related items (including a rural event facility use permit and amendments clarifying parking of commercial vehicles) forward for public hearings.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6259405,"Auditors give Milton an unmodified opinion for FY2024; general fund remains a healthy reserve",471,1505000,1976000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3141342-fec85a9ead24fafda27f34d0efe8ce37&start=1505&end=1976","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3141342-fec85a9ead24fafda27f34d0efe8ce37/thumbnail_1505000.jpg","/articles/6259405/Milton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Auditors-give-Milton-an-unmodified-opinion-for-FY2024-general-fund-remains-a-healthy-reserve","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6259405-9d088d4c249ab5c96894cf00553911c0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771118464&Signature=m~qrTme0eZQyFQPTOlNUlr8ZTeVXhaSSkLuPN0G1upKFvbcRaCf4PQwMfAn~8Av2stUaehIv-p-V77TDYThP~HtEBV3G7D59MTp-fdzDznmNdJ3AZSd5kz3ffsmO5hNnrBPm0P1wR73V4kXFarU07Qxn1FnwLL~2HsQStGxuReBp19Yr-OS80eGeDnnWorqYY481YOl5zgcoh6yBASCpqR1IOAS7fwCZKVsbAEWZJ757FyoUTUliyZcHBJ5omc~lYI~P07znHj0mk6twxm7yicX5dG4At8V-vSxSUcDwnFPHpTIDoGC2mSWIHiY5Cj-LsHeJXDRWGc4APnx2nv7hRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Milton's external auditors presented the city's fiscal year 2024 financial results on April 28 and issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the financial statements, the auditor said during a council presentation.

Will Durzis, a director with audit firm Malden & Jenkins, said the firm's auditors \"did issue an unmodified or clean report on the city's financial statements for 09/30/2024.\" The presentation and the annual comprehensive financial report are available in the meeting packet and on the city's website, staff said.

Key figures the auditor cited:

- Total assets reported: approximately $270,000,000.
- Total liabilities: about $95,000,000.
- Net position (assets minus liabilities): roughly $175,000,000, of which about $126,000,000 represents capital assets (infrastructure, buildings and equipment) and about $33,000,000 is restricted by external parties.
- Unrestricted resources: approximately $16,000,000 available for use.
- Change in net position for FY2024: an increase of about $11,000,000.
- General fund unassigned balance: about 40% of total general fund expenditures (auditor noted anything above 25% is generally considered healthy).

Durzis said the audit identified one reporting finding related to adjustments needed to properly record property tax revenues in the general fund and a green-space bond fund. The firm also provided a management recommendation on outstanding cash bonds payable; staff reported the outstanding amount has decreased over time.

Why it matters: An unmodified audit opinion indicates the financial statements are presented fairly in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. The city's general fund reserve level and the auditors' observations will be relevant to council as it reviews the operating and capital budgets.

Ending

Councilors had no substantive follow-up at the meeting; staff will incorporate any audit recommendations into financial reporting and operations as appropriate.

","External auditors issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the City of Milton's fiscal year 2024 financial statements and highlighted a 40% unassigned general fund balance and about $16 million unrestricted resources.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

'Destination Deerfield' text amendments advance after council review; townhome width and incentives highlighted

Milton council reviews two Deerfield Active Park designs, prioritizes fields and flexibility on amenities

Public comment highlights equipment-storage complaint; council advances four zoning first‑presentation items

Auditors give Milton an unmodified opinion for FY2024; general fund remains a healthy reserve