Commercial and Residential Locksmiths in Milton

MILTON, Ga. — Since Milton voters approved the $25 million Greenspace Bond in 2016, the city has purchased more than 400 acres in conservation land across six properties and is now developing a plan to strategize the space.

The bonds are intended for passive use to provide recreational trails, protect natural areas and wildlife habitat, preserve agricultural land, protect the water quality of rivers and streams, and provide parks and park improvements.

Emily Groth, Milton environmental program manager, presented the blueprint at the Feb. 22 Milton City Council meeting with some key elements, such as future improvements, appropriate use and special considerations, environmental protection measures and property prioritization and plan implementation.

The open properties include land off Freemanville and Birmingham roads, Lackey Road and the Milton City Park and Preserve, currently in Phase I of the Former Milton Country Club Master Plan. The properties off Hamby Road and Webb Road as well as Cooper Sandy off Providence and Bethany roads are closed.

With the environment in mind, the project plan consists of four stakeholder groups, Groth said: city committees, property neighbors, the general public and the City Council.

Since the bond passed, the Milton Greenspace Advisory Committee has presided over the project, directing city staff on land purchases. Other committees involved in the process will be the Trails Advisory Committee, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and the Planning Commission.

Groth laid out a timeline for “The Greenprint,” the proposed name for the greenspace plan, beginning with specific stakeholder engagement to take place from January to April. The city would then engage the general public from April to May. Draft recommendations would be made in June and July, with adoption from August to September.

In other action Wednesday, Aaron Arnett with Arnett Muldrow & Associates described a placemaking project for the city, guided by the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. The company provides community branding, marketing specialists and graphic designers.

“We want to make sure that we establish a unified market position and message that resonates with the businesses that we're trying to recruit here into the community,” Arnett said.

The overall objective of the project, he said, is to create a toolbox for the city to communicate Milton’s assets and purpose.

Arnett mentioned the city’s eight character districts but said the project will drill down into three: Crabapple, Birmingham Crossroads as well as Ga. 9 and the Deerfield area.

The first level of the project is community engagement, Arnett said, and will include stakeholder interviews, roundtable focus groups and open public meetings.

Milton City Councilman Rick Mohrig voiced his excitement about the project, especially as it relates to Ga. 9.

“How do we actually step up that whole area?” Mohrig asked. “Because it’s got a lot of potential … That’s really the entrance into the city.”

Dozens of residents support popular Milton business amid alcohol code tensions

Milton city leaders are in the process of rewriting the alcohol code that would get rid of a permit that's allowed the world famous Billy Allen's to operate as a music venue, restaurant and bar. Dozens of residents showed up to a council meeting to show their support for the restaurant.

MILTON, Ga. - While the City of Milton is in the process of re-writing its alcohol code, tensions were high during discussions at Monday’s council meeting.

Audience members boo’d as city leaders discussed getting rid of the current permit offered to Limited Food Service Restaurants, which allows alcohol to make up 70 percent of all sales and food to take up the remaining 30 percent. The city’s planning commission recommended the change to a 50/50 split on alcohol and food sales for restaurants.

"The council’s range of options include discontinuing the license with no renewals," Milton City Manager Steven Krokoff said during the meeting.

Billy Allen is the owner of the World Famous Billy Allen’s, a music venue, restaurant and bar in Milton that opened in March.

"I was invited here, and I said the only way I can be here and afford it is if you allow me this amended license," Allen explained.

He told FOX 5 Atlanta he received approval for the permit last year when he applied and though he is the only business owner in the city limits with that type of permit, it could be detrimental to his business.

"To me that feels like they are targeting me and I think it’s very unfair," he said. "I just want the city council to see what they’re doing to me and what I’m doing for the community and the people."

Dozens of Milton residents and others from neighboring cities attended the meeting in shirts that said "keep live music in Crabapple."

"There’s nothing like this in this part of town and if we want to grow this area, which is what I believe the marketplace is all about, then we need to have music and we need to have places to go," Milton resident Lori Evans told FOX 5 Atlanta.

Others residents agreed with the planning commission’s recommendation.

"I don’t think a 70-30 ratio is needed for a successful restaurant community…removing 70-30 is not about one business, it’s about how it impacts the future of Milton," one woman said during the public comments portion of the meeting.

Allen said that 20 percent difference goes to securing live music acts his venue attracts. He told Fox 5 he's hoping a strong show of solidarity from community members will guide the mayor council in their decision. City leaders will meet again to discuss the proposed changes next Monday and they’ll take it to a vote on October 17th.

This time last year, I was just beginning my role as Mayor and eager to get to work. Fortunately, years of outstanding leadership and dedication from our elected officials, staff, appointees on our many committees, boards and commissions, and finally, our involved and supportive community members, positioned us well for success this past year.

Even then, 2022 exceeded my expectations. Given the excellence I’ve seen, our team’s quality, and our citizens’ tremendous support, I have every reason to believe Milton will continue to set the example for others to follow.

Some of this momentum is more obvious. Within nine months, our Parks and Recreation Department opened the Community Center and first natural trail at Milton City Park and Preserve, unveiled the popular Freemanville at Birmingham pasture-like greenspace, completed equestrian-friendly improvements at Birmingham Park, and had athletes enjoying Legacy Park’s multi-sport turf fields. Plus, people packed city events from Earth Day to Pancakes with Santa – and, of course, Crabapple Fest – with record attendance.

Yet less visible actions are important, too. The city laid the groundwork to expand its park-space with a property purchase off Bethany Way and others in the works. There are more Parks and Rec programs than ever, some exclusive to Milton (like upcoming arts classes) while others (like softball) come thanks to a no-cost MOU with Alpharetta. With all this going on, no wonder Milton’s Parks and Recreation was the reigning District 7 Agency of the Year.

You see similarly community-focused, diligent, well-planned efforts in all city departments (and, in many cases, spanning departments). The Local Road Safety Plan – aimed at improving Milton’s transportation network for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians through engineering, education, and enforcement – came together thanks to our Public Works, Police and Communications teams as well as citizens involved at every turn.

Such a community-first approach is the Milton Way. Fire CARES bridges the gap between emergency care and everyday health care needs with firefighters are out every day doing house visits, leading vaccine clinics, conducting medical assessments, and more. Another Fire initiative, Milton Community Connect, lets residents and business owners share life- and property-saving information so firefighters can respond more effectively to emergencies.

Examples of excellence abound. Plant! Milton – our Arborist-led initiative encouraging tree planting, education, and care – recently earned the Georgia Tree Council’s Outstanding New Initiative Grand Award. Our sustainability efforts kicked into overdrive with Milton earning its first Silver Green Communities distinction, being among six Georgia cities certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat, and making inroads in adopting a sound, citizen-minded trash and recycling strategy. The Trails Advisory Committee also formed to guide City leaders on upgrading walking, biking, PTV and equestrian experiences.

This is all a fraction of what Milton’s government accomplished in 2022. And this new year, I foresee more of the same. We’ll open a rebuilt Fire Station 42. We should culminate work to institute Urban Growth Boundaries, adopt a Unified Development Code, and craft a concept plan for the District at Mayfield. And with downtown Crabapple’s buildout nearly complete, we’ll focus in 2023 on promoting quality, vibrancy and a uniquely Milton feel for the Highway 9/Deerfield area.

Some of what’s to come is already in the works; and other opportunities will emerge to enhance our collective quality of life. And in everything we do, we’ll never lose sight of what makes Milton special and why we fell in love with this city in the first place.

MILTON, Ga. — Three land lots off Mayfield Road, a 12-acre former homestead, could be the subject of Milton’s own “Grow-A-Row” program.

As part of Milton's goal to hone agritourism, the project would increase food security for local families. It would also model production at the 2.5-acre Old Rucker Farm, which is owned and operated by Alpharetta. Old Rucker Farm currently has its own successful “Grow-A-Row” program.

The Old Rucker Farm produces 4,000 pounds of food each year, said Anita Jupin, Milton economic engagement manager. From that harvest, she said 2,100 pounds of food were donated to the North Fulton Community Charities food pantry last year.

Jupin presented the program for Mayfield Farm at the Milton City Council meeting March 6. A central aspect of “Grow-A-Row” is to engage residents on multiple food system issues, she said.

The Mayfield property was acquired in 2017 under an agreement with Alpharetta, splitting the cost of purchase. During that time, the cities identified a need for a future intergovernmental agreement that outlines daily and long-term decisions, maintenance, repair and upkeep, capital improvements and potential programs.

With collaborative efforts among Community Development, Parks and Recreation and Public Works departments, Milton city staff has been working to draft the initial agreement alongside staff from Alpharetta.

Emily Groth, Milton environmental program manager, presented other ideas for Mayfield Farm, like composting and organic waste diversion as well as educational partnerships with local schools, the University of Georgia Agriculture Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Groth said sustainable programs at Mayfield Farm would expand what work the City of Milton already does with local schools, like the competitive, city-funded mini-grant offered every fall.

The next couple of months, Milton city staff will look to feedback from the City Council based on agreement terms with Alpharetta. The cities would then begin organizing volunteers to cultivate the land and potentially start “Grow-A-Row” in spring 2024 planting season.

Future budget discussions would include demolitions, preparation, security and accessibility. The city had previously established $35,000 for Mayfield Farm, Groth said.

“This is great. I really like the program,” Milton City Councilman Paul Moore said. “And of course, I look forward to supporting it to make sure that it’s something that we can all enjoy in the community.”

At its March 6 meeting, the Alpharetta City Council also heard a report on Mayfield Farm’s potential “Grow-A-Row” program, but members voiced cost concerns.

“There’s value in it, but we’re already investing a lot,” Alpharetta Mayor Jim Gilvin said. “I’m concerned that the cost could become more than the benefit if we’re not very cautious in how we design those programs.”

Gilvin noted the city’s existing stake in the Old Rucker Farm. The program was once volunteer-led, Gilvin said, but since its inception, several Alpharetta staff members have begun managing the project.

Alpharetta City Administrator Chris Lagerbloom said there are nearly a dozen structures on the Mayfield property that should be demolished as soon as possible to prevent nuisance for nearby residents.

“Regardless of whether or not ‘Grow-A-Row’ moves forward, I think that parcel is a site that we own that we need to make a little safer than it might be today,” Lagerbloom said.

MILTON, Ga. — The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation announced its 18th annual list of 10 ‘Places in Peril’ across the state, and the McConnell-Chadwick House in Milton made the list.

The roster is composed of 10 destinations in Georgia that are threatened by demolition, development or sheer neglect. The trust’s purpose is to raise awareness and save the properties.

The Milton Historical Society nominated the McConnell-Chadwick House as a candidate for the list. The biggest threats to the house are its physical condition and its location along Arnold Mill Road, one of the busier highways in the city.

The house is one of three in Fulton County to make the list. The others are at 229 Auburn Avenue in Atlanta and the Old Campbell County Courthouse in Fairburn. Both have significant damage.

Ben Sutton, preservation director for the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, said raising awareness is key to saving these sites.

“We like to highlight the history of each site and explain why its relevant today.” Sutton said, “Not to simply save a site, but also to connect it to the present day.”

Sutton said the McConnell-Chadwick house has historical and architectural value. It was constructed in 1835 by state Sen. Eli McConnell. The house was one of the earliest structures in Cherokee County.

The trust said the house has potential to teach the full history of the area, including McConnell’s role in the forced removal of native Cherokee people and development of the area.

The house is also noted for its architectural design, a Greek revival design with a long porch and fluted door columns.

“There’s a real story to tell and it’s a very unique building architecturally,” Milton Historical Society President Jeff Dufresne said.

The Milton Historical Society has been communicating with the owner of the property, Larry Chadwick, for years. As Milton has grown, so has the society’s sense of urgency around the site.

“In a growing city like Milton, unless someone raises their hand to preserve it, developers will buy it,” Dufresne said.

The location has drawn specific concern from the trust and historical society. There’s significant traffic in the area, but little attention is currently paid to the house itself.

“We want to make folks understand what they might be driving by every day without understanding,” Sutton said.

Dufresne said the society acted because there aren’t many historic houses left, and the McConnell-Chadwick house needs a lot of physical preservation work. The trust could provide awareness and a support system to get that work done.

“They’re a resource and you really have to embrace these programs,” Dufresne said.

Dufresne said he hopes the organization will find funding possibilities and tax incentives, but he also finds significance in the list itself.

“Getting on the list is a real catalyst.” Dufresne said, “Symbolically, it gets a lot of attention.”

While the trust raises awareness, Sutton said the work continues with groups like the Milton Historical Society.

“We rely on local partners and advocates to keep the momentum going,” Sutton said.

Sutton said the trust’s role moving forward is to identify a reasonable and proper use for the building. He said the house could be restored as a home, a museum or even a welcome center for the area.

“There’s an opportunity there to find a preservation solution,” Sutton said. “The primary challenge is just identifying the path forward.

As for the historical society, Dufresne said the next challenge is to use their resources as best they can. He hopes to get the city involved in the project, specifically to do volunteer work on preserving the building itself.

“It’s a wonderful thing to be on the list, but we’ve got work to do,” Dufresne said.