Design board accepts repaint at Birmingham Highway building but requires two trees to soften streetscape

The City of Milton Design Review Board on Aug. 5 accepted the Sherwin‑Williams Dover White repaint of Building 60 at 12220 Birmingham Highway but attached a condition that the owner plant two 2‑inch caliber dogwood trees or submit a landscape plan to soften the façade facing the street. Staff said the repaint occurred without prior design‑review approval and that staff received an anonymous call about the change. The owner supplied paint specifications showing the white body color and darker Urban Bronze accents on doors and structural elements. Staff recommended approval of the Dover White paint as compatible with surrounding buildings; the board voted, with two dissenting members, to approve the color on the condition of additional planting. Board members said the color change reduced the building’s distinctiveness and urged a remedial step to address streetscape continuity. The chosen remedy — two canopy or ornamental trees in planting locations acceptable to staff — was recommended by board members as an expedient, site‑appropriate response that would nevertheless allow the owner to retain the newly applied paint. Staff will coordinate with the property owner on placement and species selection and will require documentation that the trees have been installed as a condition of the board’s approval.