The Milton Planning Commission on Nov. 20 recommended a modification to the city’s Unified Development Code intended to preserve trees and create larger undisturbed rear‑yard areas on newly platted AG‑1 residential subdivisions.

Diana Wheeler, interim community development director, told commissioners the staff‑driven proposal would add an alternate setback schedule that applies only to “qualified subdivisions” — residential lots under 3 acres with internal streets and no pass‑through access. Wheeler described two draft options and the reasoning behind them: flipping the current 60' front/50' rear standard (Option A) or allowing a 40' front/70' rear configuration (Option B) that would create a larger rear natural area to protect trees and separate neighbors.

Neighbors directly affected by a proposed Little River Estates Phase 2 spoke at the public hearing. Tom and Kim Gauger said Option B “provides us relief” by expanding the natural area next to their backyards from roughly 10 feet to as much as 30 feet and moving pools and roofed structures farther from rear property lines. George Bumiller also urged support for Option B for similar reasons. Homeowners from Phase 1 voiced opposition to a 40' front setback, warning that a mismatch of 40' and 60' frontages in the same neighborhood would change streetscape character; Mark Sanfatello asked the commission to retain 60' or at minimum accept a 50' front setback.

Commission discussion focused on balancing privacy and tree protection against neighborhood character and property‑value concerns. Commissioners also debated whether the community development director should be given limited administrative discretion to allow the more aggressive Option B in narrowly defined circumstances (topography, hydrology, and surrounding development stage) or whether the city should adopt a single new numerical standard. Legal counsel noted that any grant of administrative discretion should be accompanied by objective guidelines.

To bridge those concerns, Commissioner Trey James proposed a compromise labeled Option C: a 45‑foot front setback, a 65‑foot rear setback, a 25‑foot undisturbed tree preservation strip at the rear, and a 30‑foot pool setback from the rear property line. After discussion and several motions, the commission voted 3–1 in favor of recommending Option C to City Council; Commissioner McPhee was recorded as opposing the recommendation.

The commission’s recommendation and comments will be transmitted to the City of Milton Mayor and City Council for final action; the staff noted the council will consider the planning commission’s recommendation at a forthcoming council meeting.

What’s next: The planning commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for final disposition. If adopted by council, the amendment would apply only to newly platted qualified subdivisions and not to existing single lots unless they are subsequently subdivided or replatted.