City Of Milton: CPAC To Discuss Future Of Deerfield, Trash Collection And Recycling In Milton

Press release from the City of Milton:

04/29/2021 10:27 AM

Milton’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee returns to City Hall on Thursday for its sixth meeting, this one focused on trash collection, recycling services and “character areas” – particularly Deerfield and around Highway 9.

The April 29 meeting will start at 6 p.m. in Council Chambers, with CPAC members (and members of the public) spaced apart as a COVID-19 mitigation measure. People should also be able to “attend” virtually through this Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/92176939824. The City also plans to stream the meeting live for viewing on its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/thecityofmiltonga/.

This Committee, commonly referred to as CPAC, has been meeting since August 2020 to support the City’s efforts to draft its 2040 Comprehensive Plan. This document envisions what the community wants Milton to look and feel like two decades from now, then outlines priorities, policies and potential projects to make that ideal vision a reality. You can learn more about it – and find videos, presentations and more useful information – at www.cityofmiltonga.us/ComprehensivePlan.

CPAC’s Thursday meeting will begin by diving into issues related to the collection of “solid waste” in Milton. Currently, nine residential and three commercial haulers are licensed (after adhering to City requirements) to pick up garbage and most types of commonly recyclable items.

Members of CPAC will share their thoughts on whether the City might alter its approach – with possibilities including having one hauler company cover all of Milton, promoting occasional bulky item pick-ups, mandating glass recycling, and more. There may also be a more general discussion about solid waste services’ potential impact on traffic as well as air and water quality.

This will be followed by an exploration of the future of the Deerfield area.

The City contracted RKG to assess this area, identify “target” industries that make sense, and craft strategies to develop a special, civic-oriented sense of place. It completed this analysis just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A condensed presentation of RKG’s findings will segue to a discussion of what should happen next for economic development in Milton, and particularly around Deerfield. Examples could include creating a Developmental Authority, launching a marketing campaign to target new businesses and support existing ones, or training “business ambassadors” to tout Milton as a great place for companies.

Deerfield is one of eight “Character Areas” identified in past Milton Comprehensive Plans, as well as one of the four (with Crabapple, Birmingham Crossroads and Arnold Hill) identified as “Future Development Areas” for potential commercial growth.

CPAC members will have a broader discussion Thursday about the most fitting futures and  “narratives” for all of Milton’s character areas – in other words, what should be done to make each distinct and generally better over the coming years.

This event is one of several coming up as the City seeks final input from citizens, CPAC members and others before finalizing the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

One such opportunity is the latest “Virtual Engagement Forum,” this one featuring mini-surveys seeking feedback on transportation, pedestrian and bicycle safety, stormwater management, recycling and trash collection. Anyone can take a few minutes to participate by going to www.cityofmiltonga.us/engagement, then scrolling to the items marked “**NEW!!**”

An informal “Pop-Up” event at which people can learn and share their thoughts on the Comprehensive Plan will take place between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Saturday outside the new Starbucks in downtown Crabapple. This will be followed by CPAC meetings on the next two Thursday evenings, including a particularly important one May 6 that will delve into critical “land use” issues.

And in a May 20 “open house,” members of the public can review the draft recommendations and short-term “work plan” for the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. Following a 30-day public comment period, the City Council is expected to review and vote upon a final version of the document in August.

This press release was produced by the City of Milton. The views expressed here are the author’s own.