During a work session Monday in Milton, Fulton County Commissioner Lynne Riley told a crowd of about 60 people that some businesses on Ga. 9 are eligible for sewer service, but there are no plans to expand it beyond that area.
She also said there is no contradiction between the map of the county's sewer service and its policy on not allowing sewer from one river basin to flow into another basin. Ga. 9 runs along the eastern side of the city.
The perception that there was a discrepancy had fueled concern among many residents that once sewer crossed from the Big Creek basin to the Etowah River basin, the flood gates would open, and sewer would expand throughout the city.
Many residents argue that sewer brings dense development, which would spoil the pastoral feel of the community.
Mayor Joe Lockwood invited Riley to the work session to provide accurate information and dispel rumors.
"I want to make sure we are supporting our longstanding policies that Fulton County had before we became a city, and that we are not expanding sewer," Lockwood said. "I want to make sure we're on the same page."
Riley's statements indicated that the city could approve sewer to many developments on Ga. 9 without violating policies inherited from the county.
About a third of the crowd addressed the council. Speaker after speaker alternately pleaded and demanded that the Milton City Council limit sewer service to preserve the city's pastoral venues. Some said the meeting had been informative, and laid to rest rumors the council had been planning to expand sewer beyond Ga. 9.
But a few developers pleaded hardship from being at a standstill while the city hammers out its sewer policy.
Another meeting will be required before the question of sewer service on Ga. 9 will be settled.
Then the council must decide whether it wants to stop there, or develop a more expansive sewer policy.
Labels: city of milton, Georgia, sewer extension, sewer hookups
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 3:37 PM
