On Monday night, the Milton City Council withdrew two agenda items related to the proposed revision of the Milton Trails Blueprint. The Council decided to seek more specific public input before moving forward. City staff were directed to work with the Milton Trails Advisory Committee (MTAC) to collect more feedback, especially from residents who may be affected by future trail projects. This decision followed concerns from community members, particularly those living along Hickory Flat Road, about not being informed of possible new trail segments. The Hickory Flat trail segment has been included in city planning since 2017.
The Milton Trails Blueprint guides the city’s sidewalks and multi-use paths. It was first established in 2007 and last revised in 2020. The current MTAC was formed in 2023 to oversee the latest update. Deputy Public Works Director Rob Dell-Ross stated that the Blueprint sets requirements for new developments and lists possible projects, but does not provide funding. Each trail segment must go through its own public process for budgeting, design, and approval, allowing for public input at each stage.
After a presentation by Dell-Ross and public comments, the Council discussed the need to inform property owners in affected areas about proposed changes. The Council then voted to withdraw two items: one to remove the 2020 trail plan from City Code, and another to replace it with the new Blueprint. This pause will allow for more community engagement before any decisions are made…