Dentist Near Milton, GA

MILTON, Ga. — The Milton City Council stripped the Development Authority of Fulton County of its power to purchase property for tax incentives without city approval Dec. 15.

The resolution is the first of its kind to be enacted in North Fulton County following the Georgia General Assembly’s approval of House Bill 155 in May.

The state legislation came amid echoes from a deal the Development Authority made some 12 years ago with North American Properties providing it with a $55 million tax abatement over 10 years for its Avalon property in Alpharetta.

The arrangement came as a surprise to Alpharetta officials, who said they didn’t learn about it until they read it in the paper. They said the tax abatement cost the city approximately $1 million in revenue.

Projects approved prior to 2026 will not be affected by the new legislation.

Going forward, Milton’s mayor will have to approve each proposal from the Development Authority of Fulton County.

“This is good,” Mayor Peyton Jamison said. “We’re keeping the decision here local and it’s important.”

The resolution was approved unanimously with no public comments.

Other agenda matters were brief. Council members approved the consent agenda which included extending the construction timeline for improvements to Milton City Park and Preserve. The project period has been extended from the end of this year until June 15, 2026.

Contracts approved through the consent agenda involved replacing windows in the lobby of Milton City Hall and an agreement to begin offering adult Tai Chi classes at city-operated facilities.

Council members approved the first presentations on the proposed setback changes within AG-1 zoning which would lower the required front yard setback and increase those in the rear of the property. First presentations for sign standards in the Hamlet Overlay District and restaurants that want to add accessory food trucks to their property were also advanced.

There was no discussion among the council regarding the items. However, resident Tom Gauger, spoke in favor of extending the rear yard setback on lots zoned AG-1 during public comment.

The Dec. 15 meeting was the final City Council meeting of the year and Councilwoman Andrea Verhoff’s final time sitting on the dais. In an emotional sendoff, Verhoff thanked her family and fellow council members as she said goodbye to her position.

The meeting ended with the City Council entering executive session to discuss land acquisition, legal and personnel issues.

Milton’s first City Council meeting in 2026 is scheduled for Jan. 5 at City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk.

MILTON, Ga. — A record 350 families decorated mailboxes around Milton with fresh greenery, berries and bows during the 2025 Mailbox Brigade hosted by Milton Friends of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

The annual Milton Mailbox Brigade Holiday Fundraiser, raised $23,000 this year to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and brought together dozens of volunteers who have worked since November to adorn mailboxes in and around Milton.

The Mailbox Brigade was created in 1990 by Brookhaven resident Toni Rhett after her 9-month-old daughter, Alix, had a one-week stay at Scottish Rite Hospital, which is now part of Children’s. Rhett started the first mailbox brigade in her neighborhood to raise money to support of the hospital. Now, more than 250 Friends chapters exist in and around Atlanta and participate in the annual event.

“The success of this year’s Mailbox Brigade, and the incredible growth we’ve absorbed for this project just over the past year, has been a phenomenal demonstration of teamwork and community at its finest,” said Jennifer Linn, co-chair of Milton Friends of Children’s. “Ultimately, though, to hear such positive feedback from our donors who love their beautifully decorated mailboxes, and to know that our efforts will support one of the nations’ top pediatric hospitals is the ultimate gift to everyone associated with this project.”

Co-chairs of the 2025 Holiday Brigade Aleisha Porto and Beth Moon recruited and trained 50 volunteers with detailed instructions and photos to create cohesive arrangements throughout Milton. Ribbons and wire were provided by Children’s Hospital while clippings were secured from local retailers. Materials were dropped off at different pickup locations in Milton, with many volunteers adding natural touches of magnolia branches and holly berry.

Hayfield resident Ashley Edmonds embraced the opportunity to work directly with her daughter, Audrey, as they adorned mailboxes in her subdivision. Another first-time decorator took both her mother and daughter along to decorate during the Thanksgiving holiday, sharing the heartwarming experience.

Another addition to the 2025 Mailbox Brigade was the inclusion of Milton High School’s Friends of Children’s Junior Group, founded by Milton High School student McKenna Leach.

Since its founding in 2022, Milton Friends has raised nearly $1 million to support patient programs such as specialized summer camps, Music and Artist in Residence programs and Children’s “Fund a Need” program.

There is no fee to become a Milton Friend of Children’s. The group meets monthly at retailers and small businesses around town to help support the local economy. To learn more about how you can become involved, please follow the Milton Friends of Children’s on Instagram, @friendsofchoa_milton, or email friendsofchoamilton@gmail.com.

— Hannah Yahne

MILTON, Ga. — Potential zoning changes to front yard setbacks in AG-1 properties dominated discussion Dec. 1, as residents tangled with city officials.

A proposed text amendment would alter the setback requirements for subdivisions constructed in agriculturally zoned (AG-1) areas. Currently, the setback requirements are a 60-foot front yard setback, a 50-foot setback in the rear, and 10-feet between a pool and the rear property line.

With the exception of several commercial corridors, agriculture zoning dominates Milton’s landscape.

City staff say the goal is to provide homeowners more design flexibility in their backyard by reducing the front yard setback within qualified subdivisions.

Two versions of the amendment reducing front yard setbacks were originally proposed at the Nov. 20 Planning Commission meeting.

The first version would reduce the front yard setback to 50 feet, allowing the house to sit 60 feet from the rear property line. With the additional space in the backyard, the pool moves farther from the property line creating a 15-foot natural separation between neighboring properties.

The second option proposed by staff would shrink the front yard setback to 40 feet, creating significant separation and greater privacy at the back of the property, Community Development Director Diana Wheeler said. The rear setback would be 70 feet with 30-feet of tree preservation, and a pool set 35 feet from the rear property line.

The Planning Commission provided a fourth recommendation proposing a 45-foot front yard setback, allowing for 65 feet in back. The pool would be set 25-feet from the property line with a 20-foot tree preservation area.

The proposed changes stem from concerns about phase two of Little River Estates, a development that will back up to homes in the Taylor Glen subdivision.

Tom Gauger, a resident in Taylor Glen subdivision, said he supports the reduced front yard setback to minimize the impact on his property from the second phase of development in Little River Estates.

However, Mark San Fratello, a resident in phase one of Little River Estates, said reducing the setbacks in the development would impact property values over time and undermine Milton’s agricultural character. He said that approving the amendment would be a mistake with lasting consequences for the city’s AG-1 zoning.

City Attorney Ken Jarrard said that approving an amendment would be, “structurally changing,” AG-1 zoning requirements.

Councilman Doug Hene said it would be a mistake to make the sweeping change, and Councilman Jan Jacobus agreed.

“I think that making a blanket change for the entire city is a mistake, personally,” Jacobus said. “I’d rather see us use a variance if it is really, truly warranted.”

Mayor Pro Tem Carol Cookerly said she favors the flexibility, saying that reducing the front yard setback seems like a minor issue.

The item will come back before the City Council for a vote in January, along with two other proposed text amendments discussed at the Dec. 1 meeting.

One amendment creates sign standards for the Arnold Mill Road Hamlet Overlay District. The other would allow for restaurants to have accessory food trucks on their property.

Discussion of a second amendment pertaining to the overlay district was removed from the meeting agenda.

In other matters at the meeting, the City Council approved a contract to conduct another National Community Survey across Milton. The mayor and City Council did meet for executive session to discuss topics pertaining to land, legal or personnel.

The Milton City Council will hold its last meeting of the year on Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk.

MILTON, Ga. — The City Council will discuss four amendments to Milton’s Unified Development Code at its Dec. 1 meeting. Two amendments relate to the recently created Arnold Mill Road Hamlet Overlay District.

The City Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at Milton City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk. All meetings are open to the public.

To view the meeting agenda, click here.

The meeting is open to the public and can be viewed online here.

One of the two amendments pertaining to the overlay district would outline sign standards within the area. The proposed standards resemble what is allowed in Birmingham Crossroads Overlay District.

The second amendment for the Arnold Mill Road Hamlet Overlay District would allow more flexibility in the area’s lot sizes. It establishes a minimum lot size of 200 feet for properties lined along Arnold Mill Road with the first 100 feet serving as the rural view shed required by Milton’s code.

The City Council adopted the Arnold Mill Small Area Plan in May, which would alleviate traffic congestion and foster development while maintaining the rural esthetic of Milton.

The consent agenda for the Dec. 1 meeting includes:

- Agreements with the Georgia Department of Transportation that allow Milton to gain federal funding for transportation projects.

- A contract with Polco, a survey provider, is set to be approved on the consent agenda, allowing Milton to begin another round of its National Community Survey in 2026. The contract amount of $22,450 is included in the 2026 budget.

The survey will be conducted online, the same as in 2024. Milton residents will receive postcards showing them how to participate.

- A request to divide 2.65 acres at 16025 New Bullpen Road into two land parcels.

MILTON, Ga. — Preliminary plans to widen State Route 9 will once again be underway after the Milton City Council approved a contract with Gresham Smith during the Nov. 17 meeting.

The company will provide engineering and land acquisition services for the portion of the project in Milton’s Deerfield District. These services will provide updated data on topographical and property surveys along SR 9 from its intersection with Windward Parkway to the Forsyth County line.

The data collected will be used to identify base road conditions and existing traffic operations. Public outreach plans include contacting existing businesses and homeowners along the corridor to show safe and efficient operations and providing ongoing opportunities for resident input.

The contract says Milton anticipates adding additional phases to the contract that will include further engineering services, right-of-way negotiation and acquisition, and final construction documents.

The Georgia Department of Transportation stopped the project on SR 9 in June 2024 after discovering falsified information on the right-of-way acquisition agreements. After Milton City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding with GDOT in October, the project has been allowed to continue.

GDOT will fund the entire project through the construction phase and is responsible for hiring the contractor for construction. Milton will manage day-to-day activities for the design and right-of-way acquisition.

Other items up for consideration on Monday night’s meeting are the 2025 Milton Trail Blueprint Map, reflecting new planned trail projects and segments that have been removed. Milton’s current trail map was developed in 2020, and the city has since acquired additional green space.

Council members will vote on a proposal for Elara at Bethany, a new development located on 3.1 acres near the Spring Valley and Hidden Forest communities. The neighborhood on Bethany Bend plans to offer 13 single-family homes starting at $950,000.