By a unanimous vote, the Milton Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of the annexation request for a 50-acre parcel on Harbeson Road where the proposed 163-unit Scarlet Oaks residential community is proposed.

In its advisory report, voted on Sept. 19, the commission recommends the annexation with a zoning designation of R-1, residential, with a large-parcel development overlay. The report says the zoning proposed is the most appropriate for the parcel. 

The Scarlet Oaks annexation will now head to town council for final approval, which will likely happen at council’s Monday, Oct. 7 meeting. That approval would wind down what has been a long road for land owner The Company Store LLC. 

The annexation was previously recommended by the town’s special review committee in June 2022, with the committee finding that the parcel would provide increased revenues through taxes and fees, add services that would sustain public works and give the town control over future development. The committee also noted the annexation is within the town’s future growth area, and it can be served by existing water, fire, wastewater and police services. The only disadvantages are that the proposal has no connecting bicycle or pedestrian paths to the town center and no provision for affordable housing within the proposed design. 

The annexation was to be given final approval by council in July 2022 before the town became aware of litigation between land owners. With the most important legal issues ironed out, the application is now moving forward again.