Milton council to vote on Scarlet Oaks petition
Milton Town Council is set to vote on a proposed annexation for a 50-acre parcel across from Mariner Middle School that would be developed as a 163-unit residential community known as Scarlet Oaks.
That vote will be held at council’s regular meeting, beginning at 6:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 4, at Milton library.
On Nov. 6, council accepted the formal annexation petition filed by The Company Store LLC, but have not yet accepted the requested zoning classification of R-1 residential with a large-parcel development overlay, which they will do Dec. 4.
By accepting that zoning request, council would kick into motion the idea of a public referendum on whether to accept the annexation. Town code allows for any annexation petition to go to referendum, but it gives two paths to getting there: council scheduling a referendum, or, should council approve annexation, a citizens’ petition within 30 days. If 10% of Milton’s registered voters sign the petition, a referendum would be scheduled within 45 days of it being received by the town manager.
At its Nov. 6 meeting, council, by a 5-2 vote, declined to schedule a referendum, preferring to leave the matter to the voters to decide.
The proposed Scarlet Oaks development would comprise single-family attached and detached homes, and also have a clubhouse and recreation area with walking paths through the development. Buffers are planned along Harbeson Road and Shingle Point Road. The large-parcel development overlay allows for flexibility in terms of home design, setbacks, pedestrian access and potential light commercial uses, but no commercial uses are proposed. Tim Willard, attorney for developer Ribera Development, said his client intends to pursue a special development district, not unlike the one the council recently approved for the Granary at Draper Farm development. Willard said the developer cannot pursue a special development district until the property is annexed, but added that he doesn’t think a district for Scarlet Oaks will be as big as the Granary.
Water system referendum
At its Dec. 4 meeting, council will also set a date set for a referendum for the town to borrow more than $6 million for three water infrastructure projects.
The three projects include a water tower on town-owned land on Federal Street; replacing 3,900 linear feet of existing mains underneath Carey, Walnut, Magnolia, Reed and Mill streets; and improvements to the Chandler Street water treatment facility.
Other items on the agenda include discussion of additional streetlights on Mulberry Street, five requests for sidewalk waivers, a request from Milton Theatre for a street closure for the annual Pride Month celebration Saturday, June 8, and a request from the theater to hold a Thursday food truck event during the summer.
