Milton Recruits Expert to Help Preserve Rural Appeal

The Milton City Council last week approved an agreement to hire a conservation specialist to help develop the city's first green print land use plan.

Milton resident Laurel A. Florio brings to the city "decades of experience as consultant, legal counsel, land specialist and educator for a host of environmental protection organizations," the city said in a news release.

Florio has served six years an an attorney and land specialist for Memphis, Tennessee's Ducks Unlimited, Inc., a wetlands and waterfowl conservation.

"At the city of Milton we are dedicated to finding the right balance of environmental conservation and the preservation of land owners' rights in an environment welcoming smart, measured business and residential development," said Mayor Joe Lockwood. "Laurel Florio, who we are truly blessed to have right in our backyard, is perfect to help us realize this tremendous opportunity."

Florio said she's excited to help Milton craft its first green print land use plan, which is designed to help the city retain its rural character. Along with leading the initiative, Florio will also find a firm to craft the plan.

"I'm here because City Council and staff agree that Milton's residents deserve a town unlike any other - one that features a heart of good business, great schools, and growing economic opportunity with the soul of unparalleled access to nature," she said. "This is simply too important to leave to chance."

Florio joins the city's growing list of conservation efforts, including: International City and County Manager Association (ICMA) consultancy on innovative strategies for green space protection from the Leadership ICMA program; a six-month moratorium on rezoning applications across multiple residential districts in the city; and smart growth strategies like form-based coding, transfer of development rights and community-based master planning.

To learn more about any of those projects, visit the Community Development Department'sWeb site.