Milton's $44M Transportation Wish List, Freemanville Bridge, and AG-1 Zoning

Top of Mind

Council reviewed the TSPLOST III wish list Monday — and this one's a big ask

Milton's third Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax referendum is heading toward the November 2026 ballot, and Monday night Council got its first look at the draft project list. The short version: more roundabouts, corridor fixes, bridge work, and streetscape projects — including new roadwork in southeast Crabapple tied to the District at Mayfield development and a new street connecting SR-9 to Deerfield Parkway.

Fulton County has set a May-end deadline for the city to submit its list. No council member raised objections. Mayor Peyton Jamison called Monday's review "the very beginning" — which, in mayor-speak, means the sales job starts now. If voters approve TSPLOST III in November, it funds a new generation of infrastructure projects. If they don't, these corridors stay on the wish list.

Source: City of Milton — Council meeting recap, May 5

Council Watch

Also from Monday's packed agenda: Carson Saville was unanimously reappointed to the Milton Equestrian Committee. Councilmember Juliette Johnson said Saville and his family "live on open land in Milton" and called him "a great asset to this committee." Four graduating seniors from Milton's high schools were also honored with Fine Arts Scholarships.

Mark your calendar for May 19 — that's when Council is expected to vote on the Deerfield Implementation Plan text amendments. The Planning Commission held a special-called meeting April 30 to review the proposed Sub Districts, zoning incentives, and requirements that would operationalize the community-driven Deerfield vision. This is the vote that sets the legal framework for Deerfield's redevelopment.

Source: City of Milton — Council meeting recap, May 5 · City of Milton Facebook

The Drive

Good news on the Freemanville Road bridge: GDOT pushed the closure from today (originally May 7) to May 26 — after the school year ends. The monthslong project will cut off Freemanville north of Creek Road and south of Providence Road. The city plans to close Landrum Road at Birmingham Highway to block gravel-road cut-throughs. When school resumes in August, Birmingham Highway traffic will feel it.

Meanwhile, GDOT is seeking public input by May 15 on two planned bridge replacements over the Little River — both connecting Milton to Cherokee County. Each closure would last roughly 18 months. Milton has asked GDOT to close both simultaneously rather than sequentially (to avoid redirecting traffic to Clarity Road). Construction isn't expected until 2036, but the comment window closes next week.

Source: City of Milton — Freemanville bridge update · City of Milton — Little River bridges

Crabapple Corner

World Cup is coming to Crabapple. The city has signed an MOU with Crabapple Green to host "Goals on the Green" — two watch parties on June 19 and July 19 with food and beverage vendors on site. To make that work, Council is streamlining the temporary alcohol licensing ordinance: qualified operators can start serving after passing inspection with a 90-day temp license for a flat $100 fee. The change also clears a faster path for new restaurant and bar concepts eyeing Crabapple's growing food corridor.

Source: Drinkabl Media — Milton alcohol licensing update

On the Farm

A Change.org petition is circulating among Milton residents urging the city to reconsider planned multi-use paths along Freemanville, Hopewell, and Redd roads. Opponents say wide paved paths would remove mature trees, alter drainage, and fundamentally shift Milton's rural identity — the equestrian corridor that defines the city's character. Supporters frame them as safety and connectivity improvements. No council vote has occurred yet, but the petition encourages residents to show up.

Source: North Atlanta Star — Milton shared-use path petition

Eagles Report

Milton girls lacrosse is chasing its 19th GHSA state championship in 21 seasons. The Eagles have won 18 of 20 possible titles since the sport's inception in 2005 and are on an eight-consecutive-championship streak. The AJC profiled the program this week — seniors headed to Clemson, Stanford, and Villanova say the hardest part isn't the pressure to win; it's managing their own expectations not to fear losing. Quarterfinals were Tuesday against Oconee County. If they advanced, Friday's semifinal is next.

Source: AJC — Milton girls lacrosse championship pursuit

Building Milton

The city extended the deadline for a $500,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund grant (Georgia DNR) to August 31, 2027. The grant funds upgrades to Milton City Park's active seven acres: reconfigured parking, enhanced lighting, a new playground, and a rebuilt Milton Tennis Center growing from four courts to six. Separately, the Comprehensive Plan five-year update is underway — refreshing demographic and economic data and creating a new short-term work program priority list. Public participation is built in throughout the year.

Source: City of Milton — Council meeting recap, May 5

The Roundtable

• →The Alpharetta City Council approved the first redevelopment project from the Windward Livable Centers Initiative — an inter-municipal collaboration that includes Milton. The Windward corridor straddles the city border. Per Appen Media, April 14.
• →GA-400 express lane construction is now active on the $4.6B project from North Springs MARTA to McFarland Parkway. Expect periodic lane closures through 2031 if you commute south. Per Atlanta News First, April 22.
• →Fulton County's primary election is May 19 — same day as the Deerfield vote. Check your sample ballot at fultonvotes.com. Per Fulton County Elections.

Calendar

• →Thu, May 15 GDOT Little River bridge comment period closes — submit input online before the deadline
• →Mon, May 19 Fulton County primary election — partisan + school board + judicial races
• →Mon, May 19 Milton City Council meeting — Deerfield Implementation Plan vote expected
• →Mon, May 26 Freemanville Road bridge closure begins — plan alternate routes through fall
• →Thu, Jun 19 "Goals on the Green" World Cup watch party at Crabapple Green

One More Thing

Eighteen titles in twenty-one years. If you see a Milton lacrosse player this week — in the school hallway, at the grocery store, at Crabapple — you're looking at someone who carries a dynasty on her shoulders and makes it look like Tuesday practice. Win or lose this weekend, that's worth knowing.

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