Milton council approves $75,000 planning grant application, commits $18,750 match for West Milton corridor study

The Milton City Council on Feb. 17 voted 4–2 to apply for a Community Economic Revitalization Board planning grant to study the mixed‑use corridor along Highway 99 described in the city’s 2024 comprehensive plan.

Planning Manager Stahlnecker told the council the grant would fund a roughly year‑long planning process including stakeholder outreach, an existing‑conditions report, wetland mapping and a draft subarea plan. "The grant will fund up to about 75,000 and does require a matching fund of up to it's 25%, which would be 18,750," Stahlnecker said, noting the match would come from the city's professional services budget.

Why it matters: the corridor includes a mix of commercial, industrial and residential parcels, tribal trust land and wetlands. The planning grant would fund technical studies and public engagement that city staff and a consultant would use to recommend zoning, infrastructure priorities and potential funding sources.

Council debate centered on timing and scope. Council member Whelan asked whether the planning effort is premature while Sound Transit and WSDOT finalize rapid‑transit designs. "Are we going to spend money for somebody to come and advise us where, how, when, why… when we don't even know where the transit is going to go?" Whelan said. Planning Manager Stahlnecker and Public Works Director Madden said the effort is intended to be high level and to coordinate with Sound Transit and WSDOT so the city can articulate frontage and business priorities as regional designs progress.

An enrolled tribal member asked whether the tribe had been consulted; Stahlnecker said tribal trust parcels are outside city permitting but that the city would reach out as part of the stakeholder process and would plan for non‑tribal parcels, roads and infrastructure in city jurisdiction. On environmental protections, Stahlnecker said the city has a state‑approved critical areas plan and the grant would fund wetland delineation and buffer mapping so those areas can be protected during development.

Council member Port asked if the city could submit the application and defer committing the match; Stahlnecker said CERB expects applicants to demonstrate commitment, but noted the city already has the matching funds budgeted and could decline final paperwork if circumstances changed.

The council approved the motion to submit the application and, if granted, authorize the mayor to sign the funding agreement and commit the required matching funds. Outcome: approved, vote 4–2. The planning grant does not itself change zoning; it funds analysis and community outreach that would inform any future code or comp‑plan amendments.

Next steps: if CERB awards the planning grant, staff said they would return to council with a consultant scope of work and a public engagement schedule.