Milton goes ahead with building projects

A split Milton City Council on Monday decided that some building projects can connect to the Fulton County sewer system even though the city and the county don’t have a sewer agreement.

By a 4-3 vote, the council gave a green light to projects that already are in the works, that have letters from county telling them they can connect to sewer, and are within the defined sewer service area. The county provides sewer service to the city.

The issue is a big deal in Milton, which has used limiting sewer as a growth management tool. Many residents fear that sewer will bring density, which they say will ruin the agrarian atmosphere. Others maintain that the sewer will be contained to the few commercial areas on the edges, and that the city needs some commercial development for the tax revenue.

The City Council on Sept. 15, voted along the same 4-3 lines to approve a defined sewer service area and a proposed agreement with the county. Fulton County is still reviewing the agreement.

Opponents on Monday argued the council was being hasty in allowing construction to proceed, especially without an agreement with the county.

Supporters said the parcels in question were in the area previously approved by the county, that the sewer issue has consumed much staff time and drained financial resources, and it was time to make a decision.