Milton council adopts annual comprehensive plan update; debate centers on municipal complex and future police facility

Milton City Council voted 7-0 on Oct. 6, 2025, to adopt ordinance 21 22-25, the annual update to the city's comprehensive plan, after a presentation by Planning Manager Stahlnecker and an extended council discussion about the future use of the municipal complex.

Planning Manager Stahlnecker told council the ordinance updates the six-year capital improvement projects and funding-source figures (attachment 1) and recommends changing the future land use map to designate properties now owned by East Pierce Fire and Rescue as community facilities in anticipation of that agency building a new fire station. Stahlnecker opened a public hearing; no members of the public spoke.

The council's substantive discussion centered on the municipal complex across from Triangle Park and the city's former fire station. Councilmember Whelan asked whether a passage on page 55 about ‘‘forecast of future needs'' and expansion of the municipal complex referred to removing the existing building. Stahlnecker replied the update refers to the property, not the building, and confirmed city staff still expect the existing building would be removed as part of future plans. Councilmembers and staff repeatedly said the timeline and final decisions remain dependent on future budget decisions.

Councilmember Paul asked why the old fire station was not called out in the plan. Stahlnecker said the plan currently reflects inventory and broad forecasts; detailed changes can be incorporated in the next annual update once timelines and funding are firmer. Councilmember Ferretti and others warned against locking the city into a single course before feasibility and budget work is completed.

Councilmembers and staff described the planned East Pierce Fire and Rescue project timeline as roughly a year to a year-and-a-half, possibly up to two years, subject to conditional-use review and civil permitting. Councilmembers asked whether a feasibility study paid for in part by the city exists for converting the old fire station to a police facility; staff said the study was cut short once retrofit costs made the conversion appear financially infeasible and that there is no final study report. Director Robach said staff can provide the preliminary cost analyses; he estimated the city's share of preliminary study costs at about $20,000 but said he would verify that figure.

Multiple councilmembers urged that the city formally record that the highest-priority reuse for the former fire station would be to accommodate the police department, while acknowledging that such a designation would be revisited as needs and budgets change. Planning staff said they would incorporate clearer language about that priority in the next annual update when the fire-department timeline and related budgets are better established.

The ordinance is the planning commission's recommendation and adopts the specific map and text amendments shown in exhibit A. The motion to adopt the ordinance was made by Councilmember Whelan and seconded by Councilmember Hall; the motion passed 7-0.

Next steps identified by staff include updating the comprehensive plan again when project timelines and budgets are confirmed and providing council with the preliminary cost analyses related to converting the former fire station to police use.