by Tim Enloe
IGNORANCE PLEA.
I plead ignorance. Why do I preface the following SOAPBOX editorial in such a fashion? It is really quite simple, actually. The reason is to relay that I don’t have all the answers here.However, what I do have is an idea that could put Milton, Georgia on the map in ways many would have never dreamed.
Our city recently turned into it’s sophomore year. Much has happened in this brief period.We have had elected a city council twice, launched our own fire and police departments,and gained the majority of control of our land use from Fulton County. Impressive, to say the least.
In regards to the later, I wish our citizens had the ability to control our land use 100%. However,with the Board of Education (BOE) holding the chips that they do, that goal is currently not in our favor.
BIRMINGHAM HIGH.
Many of you have most likely heard of the proposed Birmingham High School off of Freemanville Road. It has been relayed by BOE officials that their plan of action once said school is constructed is to redistrict the students. In other words, the student currently going to Milton would go to Birmingham and Milton would become the overflow for a student population from outside Milton, Georgia Boundaries.I find this
troubling to say the least.
Our residents chose incorporation to create their own city and their own identity. Citizens have spoken often about their dislike of sewer, traffic, and density. Many on assigned boards as well as our own council and staff have worked hours upon hours to protect what we all hold so dear. Yet, what is the point of such diligence when we end up being the whipping post for those who live outside our borders?
Getting back to paragraph four, I will share with you the first of many ideas today. If the course of action regarding the BOE is correct, then why are we receiving a new high school? If Alpharetta needs another high school because their population continues to rise, then why isn’t it being built within their boundaries? Take a look at the old Milton High School. The BOE attempted to justify to us a few years back that seven long time residents had to lose their homes because the old location “wasn’t fit for students.” Yet, today, students still go to that old school. Perplexing, to say the least. I don’t doubt that that facility is in need of a good facelift. Better yet, a demolition crew might well be needed,or so I’ve been told. I am also well aware of the new requirement that 70 acres are now the required minimum for a public high school in Fulton County.
CANTON STREET.
Have you driven down Canton Street lately? Notice alot of earth moving and trees coming down, I bet. The “coming Soon” sign states that $400k plus town homes are on the way, taking the place of one of the last quaint areas of Alpharetta. Troubling, but that city is very progressive to say the least.
‘Tis interested that the land where these town homes will be placed border’s the old Milton High grounds. Now keep in mind that the old Milton High location carries 47 acres with it I believe. It is easy to do the math here. One could easily see how a governmental body could amass the required 70 acre minimum by purchasing that land for the town homes. All those neighborhoods around that location came after that school’s initial ground breaking back in the late 1800’s. Oh, and by the way, that area has sewer…
HEARTBEAT – The Central Park Of Milton, Georgia.
Many of you will say “Ok Tim, say the four leaf clover falls in our lap and the BOE agrees with your points.What do you think should happen to that 113 acres in the heart of Milton?” The “what” is easy. The “how to” is another story. In my view, that parcel should become the Heartbeat of Milton. An area that includes our city hall,library,police department and administrative buildings. Within that same parcel, you incorporate a nature park, non-lit recreation fields and a trail system which would tie into White Columns to the North and Wood Road to the south.
Right off the bat, some might assume that sewer would be necessary. I doubt it. The BOE claims that a school housing an estimated 1800 students can go there with a septic system in place. Then why couldn’t the “Heartbeat”approach go there as well with a similar septic system? We both know that the four buildings above would not see 1800 people a day. If anything,they might see a quarter of that. The buildings wouldn’t need to be of a large caliber either.
Less parking and, in turn, less land would also be required as the city staff typically work Monday through Friday and the library is closed on Sundays. The only individuals that would require 24/7 access would be our police officers. In turn, this would allow Milton residents more spaces to park when enjoying the park and trails incorporated during the weekends and evenings.
Such an approach would also help in protecting one of our few gravel byways, Wood Road. Some have told me that this road wouldn’t be impacted if the BOE goes through with their plan of action as they have no plans to tie in. While that is fine and good, the noise and traffic generated from such a facility alone would still force the hand of many Wood Road residents.(Residents, that currently own some impressive equestrian facilities.) You would see residents sell one by one with more developers waiting. To see the impact a high school has, just drive down to Freemanville Road and take a look at all the homes currently for sale within an ear shot of the New Milton High. Significant to say the least…
IN CLOSING – A PERFECT WORLD.
As I said at the beginning, I plead ignorance. I don’t have all the answers. If anything, I just have an idea with dreams.I have very little knowledge regarding our city’s cash flow. However, I do realize that we will eventually require our own city hall, police, and administrative buildings and I also realize that we are on tap for a new
library.
But imagine for a moment a perfect world of our Milton. A place where you can drop your kids off at Central Park while you go read a book at the library and feel safe. Safety for not only your pride and joy but also yourself as you watch our wonderful police drive by on a regular basis. Imagine going to a city hall meeting and seeing a residents on horse back trotting by. Imagine camping with your little ones for the first time and being five minutes from home. Imagine our property values rising because of our “outside of the box” thinking while others chose to expose themselves to monotony.
Some have said that “imagination” can breed false hope. It is simply a trinket for a rainy day. I disagree with this premise. If anything, imagination is the foundation for the future. Remember, there were those that said Milton, Georgia would never be…
