Milton comp plan goes to public hearing

Public comments were relatively sparse at a June 5 public hearing for Milton's updated comprehensive plan.

That may be because dozens of public meetings have been held throughout the last four years as town officials worked to rewrite and update the 100-plus-page document. During that time, about 600 residents also provided input through written and online surveys.

“There have been over 70 meetings associated with the comp plan,” said Milton Mayor Ted Kanakos. “It has been open and transparent, and everyone has always been invited. It seems that as we get closer to the very end, there are some small changes that have to be made, whether it's in grammar or it's in content.”

Several residents took the opportunity to provide additional input, asking town officials to look a little closer at the goals and implementation strategies outlined in the plan, which will soon head to the county and state for review and approval.

“I think the document is very comprehensive. Maybe even too comprehensive,” said Milton resident Lee Revis-Plank.

Revis-Plank said there are too many goals included in the plan, some of which are unrealistic, and questioned whether the plan needs to specify which town bodies would be responsible for implementation.

“This is an all-encompassing, ideal document,” Kanakos responded. “It takes in some things that may not be realistic, but as the town grows and moves forward, these issues will come up, and many will find their place in the comprehensive plan.”

Milton resident Ginny Weeks said the document lacks guidance for neighborhoods beyond the town center and historic district.

“When you take the town center and the historic district out of it, there's not much written about the rest of the town, or the north end, or how to preserve neighborhoods, or should we preserve neighborhoods,” she said. “I really think you need to speak to the preservation of neighborhoods in this town.”

Town officials will now review written and oral comments received through the public hearing process for possible revisions and hold another meeting to publicly review the finalized document.

The plan will then go to Sussex County officials for review to ensure Milton's plan is consistent with the county's plan. Then the document will go to state agencies and legislators for review and approval, before receiving a signature from Gov. John Carney.

Kanakos said he hopes the comp plan is officially adopted by early fall.