Milton considering rezoning for Stewart Street
The City of Milton will soon hold its second outreach meeting for the property owners in and around Stewart Street. According to Milton City Planner Randy Jorgenson, the once vibrant commercial corridor no longer serves the needs of today’s consumer. Strip mall developments, though popular in the past, are no longer attractive to many of today’s shoppers. As a result, said Jorgenson, many of the buildings on Stewart are vacant or under-utilized. While there are areas that show signs of revival and recent investment along parts of Stewart St. most of the street continues to languish. All properties along Stewart are currently zoned commercial and limited to those specific types of activity. The city is examining the potential of rezoning to again provide for residential usage.
It is believed many of the buildings could be converted with minor expenditures on the part of the property owners, providing much needed rental or leased units. Jorgenson said 15,000 plus vehicles travel Stewart Street per day. Many, he said, going to or coming from Naval Air Station Whiting Field. It is believed many of these travelers who commute to NASWF want to live in the community but cannot find suitable housing. Most of which are here for a limited period of time. Generally, only 1 to 3 years.
“Flats, apartments, condos, row housing, call them what you’d like, that’s what they’re looking for. They want to be close to restaurants, evening entertainment, and the services they need,” said Jorgenson.
Broadening the uses allowable does not affect the activities currently occurring on the corridor today. “It gives property owners more choices,” he said.
The city will soon announce the next outreach meeting. Information will be sent to property owners along Stewart Street.
