The Milton City Council approved an licensed encroaching agreement which would allow for a balcony to be built at the former location of the Liberty Café on Willing Street in downtown Milton. The item was brought before the council during this week’s regular council meeting from the city’s historical preservation committee.
The agreement would allow for the incoming business to build a balcony, which would encroach upon city property.
“One element is a balcony which is eight feet above grade and extend from the façade of the building approximately four feet for the width of the building,” said Randy Jorgenson, the city’s planning director. “You are simply approving the encroachment over the city’s property for the balcony has proposed.”
Jorgenson also said the encroachment agreement meets the city’s code enforcement. The balcony will be part of an incoming business currently in development owned by Stewart Norris.
Janet Coulter, a neighboring real estate broker, addressed the council with concerns of storm water issues the balcony would present to neighboring buildings.
“I think it is a good project although, I am right next door and we have such a water runoff,” she said. “It floods even slightly when it rains, I can’t imagine the rain coming off that balcony and washing in where my office is.”
“I think it is good project if we can alleviate any kind of water runoff to the businesses either on the north or south of that balcony,” Coulter said.
Jorgenson said it would be possible to redirect the storm water on the proposed balcony by use of gutters and spouts.
Mayor Wesley Meiss suggested Coulter’s storm water issue be placed on the upcoming agenda for the city’s storm water management committee.
Meiss is in favor of what the property owners are trying to accomplish at the downtown location.
“I think this is great for Willing Street in downtown,” Meiss said. “They are looking at a Boar’s Head deli and perhaps yogurt, which is great. I think that is another addition to our downtown.”
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Milton: Council approves balcony structure for Willing Street business