Milton wins suit, compromises on greenhouses

Even though the city of Milton won in court, it has negotiated a compromise with a greenhouse business that wanted to expand.

Under an agreement approved Monday by the City Council, Donald and Sue Baker will be allowed to add six greenhouses to the five they already have. The Bakers grow orchids, which they sell to customers like Harry’s Farmer’s Market.

The settlement limits the new buildings’ total square footage (14,246), the height (14 feet), and how close they can come into the front yard (10 feet).

The Bakers will be required to landscape the area. They may take down two larger greenhouses to make room for the new, smaller ones.

The city Zoning Board of Appeals shot down an earlier request by the Bakers, who then sued and lost in Fulton County Superior Court. They then took it to the state Supreme Court, which refused to hear the case.

The Bakers initially wanted six greenhouses in the front yard. Neighbors had opposed the original plan because they said it would make the area look too industrial.

Mayor Joe Lockwood said he wants to accommodate agricultural uses as much as possible to maintain the rural flavor that residents treasure.

“I didn’t look at it as if the city had won,” Lockwood said. “I think we won by coming up with a mutually agreeable solution. Anytime there’s an issue between the city and residents, nobody really wins. I’m happy with outcome. While we want to protect look and feel of Milton, we want to be reasonable and fair to property owners also.”