Milton City Council on Monday, Aug. 17, voted to stand up the Deerfield-Focused Development Authority and approved a $42,000 land settlement to extend the Big Creek Greenway, two moves that advance walkability and trail access along Milton's busiest commercial corridor.
The authority activation gives the city a formal tool to carry out the Destination Deerfield vision, a long-term plan to reshape the Deerfield Parkway area with connected pathways and higher-quality streetscape design. Councilmember Jan Jacobus pushed for the step during the city's July 16 Comprehensive Plan Update discussion, saying in the Roundabout that the council needed to "truly make the vision of Destination Deerfield happen." City Attorney Ken Jarrard outlined legal tools at that same meeting to support a public-private partnership model, with Crabapple's buildout cited as the reference case for guiding Deerfield's evolution.
The second vote settles a property acquisition for the Big Creek Greenway Connector Project, which will link the trail from Bethany Bend to Morris Road. The city will pay an additional $6,500, funded by the transportation sales tax, bringing the total parcel cost to $42,000. Approximately 80% of eligible right-of-way costs are expected to be reimbursed by the Georgia Department of Transportation, according to Appen Media.
Council also voted to send its 2026 capital improvements update to the Atlanta Regional Commission for review, a required step under state law. Milton's development impact fee program, which collects fees from new commercial projects to fund road, bridge, park and building upgrades, was first adopted in 2015 and last updated in 2024.
The Deerfield corridor could see additional investment if voters approve the TSPLOST renewal on Nov. 3. Milton's project list includes a Deerfield Connector road between State Route 9 and Deerfield Parkway and roughly $6.6 million for pedestrian, bicycle and streetscape work, according to the North Atlanta Star. The city stands to receive approximately $44.2 million from the tax if the measure passes.
Mayor Peyton Jamison presided.
Monday's meeting was held at Milton City Hall, 2006 Heritage Walk, at 6 p.m.
Upcoming community events
- Monday, Aug. 24 — Seed Packing at the Milton Library, noon to 2 p.m. (registered volunteers only)
- Friday, Sept. 11 — Alpharetta Moonlight Market, North Broad Street and City Center, 5 to 10 p.m.; free admission
- Friday, Sept. 11 — Fridays on the Green, Alpharetta Town Green, 6 p.m.; free
- Saturday, Sept. 26 — Matildas Music Under the Pines, outdoor concert in Milton, 8 p.m.; gates open at 7 p.m.
