Milton Council adopts code amendments to formalize unit-lot subdivisions, binding site plans

The Milton City Council on July 7 adopted Ordinance 21 16-25, amending Municipal Code Title 16 to establish procedures and standards for unit lot subdivisions, short plats and binding site plans, a change council members said is intended to increase homeownership options. The measure passed 4-2.

The ordinance creates a local framework for unit lot subdivisions (a state-recognized form of parceling where individual dwelling units can be sold while common areas remain jointly owned), clarifies expiration timelines for short and long plats, and expands required content on recorded binding site plans. Director Stellnecker presented the proposal, saying the changes aim to "increase the supply and affordability of homeownership" and to provide criteria the city previously lacked.

The planning commission recommended the amendments after a public hearing. Under the adopted rules: short subdivisions (commonly 4 lots) follow a one-year final-recording deadline, while larger long plats may follow a five-year timeline; unit lot subdivisions are treated under the appropriate short- or long-plat procedures; and binding…