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Residents mobilize to push preserving Milton’s rural roots By HANNAH YAHNE hannah@appenmedia.com MILTON, Ga. — As Milton’s government updates its comprehensive planning document, some residents are concerned about how the city will balance its rural character with a higher quality of life. Jon Tuley, a consultant with engineering firm Kimley-Horn, described a healthy tension between the two that staff are weighing as they update the plan from 2021. The city’s comprehensive plan is updated every five years and establishes Milton’s long-term vision for growth, land use, transportation and quality of life. Since February, the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee has hosted five public meetings, each covering a portion of the plan and, most recently, an open house to collect resident feedback.
See RURAL, Page 24
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Milton Library marks 11 years serving as community staple By ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE erlandrya@appenmedia.com
BEN KOPACKA/PROVIDED
Signs are staked in yards fronting Hopewell Road showing support from property owners to keep central Milton rural and sidewalk-free on major corridors.
CRABAPPLE, Ga. — The Milton Library celebrated its 11th birthday July 16 with mini-golf, cake and reflections on the young institution’s community impact. The Milton Library is a branch of the Fulton County Library System. Located at 855 Mayfield Road in the historic Crabapple community, the library opened its doors in 2015. The library quickly became a
new landmark in one of the oldest parts of Fulton County, offering a place for people to listen, learn and connect, officials noted. Its unique, barn-inspired building has 25,000 square feet of space for books and programming, including classes for kids and social events for all ages. One such program, “Learn How to Play Mahjong,” is incredibly popular and fills up fast, library officials said.
See LIBRARY, Page 26
ERLANDRYA RUTLEDGE/APPEN MEDIA
Visitors play mini-golf during the Milton Library’s 11th birthday celebration July 16.