We moved into this wonderful town a little over a year ago in a new development near Milton High. At the time, I inquired about what was going to happen at the crossroads of Mayfield and Crabapple Roads. It seemed like an awful lot of land just to be sitting there. I was told all about the "Crabapple Plan" Yes, there would be development, but it would be controlled and in character with the town.
There was some coverage of a minor dispute about square footage, but no indication that the Plan was falling apart in big chunks, which, of course, it was.
Then, we wake up one morning a month or so ago to something that sounded like the area was under attack. Actually, it was bulldozers knocking down every living thing on the tract at the corner of Birmingham and Crabapple. Then came an article in the Milton Herald in which the mayor said, essentially,"we don't know what happened." My first reactions was -- why not? It would seem to be fairly important to know what is going on in Milton's downtown. Did the developers pull a fast one? Was someone asleep? I think the people who elected a mayor and council on a smart growth platform deserve some answers.
But the real question is -- what happens now? Are the developers accountable to anyone? Or is it clear sailing to clear cutting? Are they going to be called in by Milton's Council for a public meeting to present their plans? Is the new area going to be as densly packed and unattractive as the area on the Broadwell side? Is there any thought being given to traffic?
I really think the city needs to get out in front of this. Or we might as well change the new Milton logo from a horse to a bulldozer.
Bill Ruffin
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