Milton council adopts comp plan, zoning updates and a package of operational changes; approves Murray’s rate increase

The Milton City Council on Jan. 21 adopted a multi-part package of land-use and operational measures, including the city’s 2024 comprehensive plan and corresponding zoning updates, a fee increase request from Murray’s Disposal, an update to the employee handbook purchasing policy, and housekeeping agreements for police and victim-advocacy services.

The council voted 5-0 to adopt Ordinance 2104-25, the city’s Growth Management Act periodic update, and Ordinance 2105-25, amendments to Title 17 and the 2025 zoning map, with one change: four parcels listed in the council packet (parcel IDs ending in 0450, 0460, 0471 and 0472) remain designated and zoned as light manufacturing (M-1) rather than being redesignated to residential. Planning Manager Stahlnecker told the council the change followed discovery that the owners of those parcels had not received notice of the proposed redesignation and one owner had filed an objection. “We did double check everyone else… those four properties did not get our letters,” Stahlnecker said, and staff provided an alternate recommendation to leave those parcels as-is.

On solid-waste charges the council approved Resolution 25-1983, adopting Murray’s Disposal’s 2025 rates, after a presentation from Brad Smith, assistant district manager for Murray’s Disposal, and Steven Hockney, district manager. Smith described three components underpinning the change: the contractually allowed annual CPI adjustment (he cited a 5.02% figure for the Water, Sewer and Trash index); an increase in the landfill disposal rate the company uses (from $17,484 to $18,499 per ton, effective March 1); and an additional,…