Changes are on the way to the Arnold Mill Corridor in Milton aimed at balancing growth with the area’s rural character. The City of Milton’s draft Arnold Mill Small Area Plan outlines ways to manage traffic congestion and guide development while protecting open space.
What’s Happening: The plan focuses on a three-mile stretch of Arnold Mill Road, a state highway that handles over 20,000 vehicles daily. As the area faces mounting traffic pressures and development interest, the proposal suggests infrastructure improvements and clustered growth in specific areas called activity nodes.
Why It Matters: Arnold Mill Road serves as a key corridor for Milton residents and commuters, connecting to Roswell and Cherokee County. Known for its agricultural land, historic homes, and equestrian facilities, the corridor is a symbol of Milton’s rural identity.
Traffic congestion has been a long-standing issue, with cars often backing up during peak hours. The draft plan identifies road widening as a potential solution but also balances that with maintaining the area’s scenic and rural qualities.
What’s Being Considered:
• Traffic Solutions: Discussions include widening Arnold Mill Road while incorporating measures to minimize impacts on the surrounding landscape.
• Clustered Development: Small-scale commercial or residential growth could be concentrated at designated intersections, leaving other areas untouched.
• Preservation Goals: Updated zoning rules and design guidelines would aim to protect open space, tree canopies, and historic sites.
What’s Next: The city is collecting input from residents before finalizing the plan. Future decisions could include infrastructure projects or zoning changes based on community feedback.
For now, residents will have opportunities to weigh in as the city navigates how to address growth while keeping Arnold Mill true to its rural roots.
The Plan: The full draft plan is below so you can read it for yourself.
B.T. Clark
B.T. Clark is an award-winning journalist and the Publisher of The Georgia Sun. He has 25 years of experience in journalism and served as Managing Editor of Neighbor Newspapers in metro Atlanta for 15 years and Digital Director at Times-Journal Inc. for 8 years. His work has appeared in several newspapers throughout the state including Neighbor Newspapers, The Cherokee Tribune and The Marietta Daily Journal. He is a Georgia native and a fifth-generation Georgian.
