The Milton Equestrian Committee will discuss the City’s efforts to offer enhanced incentives to encourage property owners to retain their large lots, among other items, when it convenes Wednesday.

The March 19 meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers (2006 Heritage Walk). People can watch it online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0NoifQFxlQ or attend in person.

The MEC, as this committee is sometimes referred to, considers matters of importance to the local equestrian community. For more about this seven-member committee (each of them appointed by Milton’s Mayor and Council), visit https://www.miltonga.gov/government/boards-committees/equestrian-committee/.

One ongoing matter that the Equestrian Committee has been focusing on is large lots – specifically, discussing ways that the City can give owners of properties 3 acres or greater more reason to grow them or at least maintain their size (rather than split them up into smaller parcels). They’ve done so in support of a broader City initiative that you can learn about at www.miltonga.gov/largelots.

This discussion will be followed by an update about Meet the Neighbors, an annual City event celebrating all things equestrian. Occurring at the City’s 21-acre pasture-filled greenspace at the corner of Freemanville and Birmingham roads, this event features food, activities, as well as vendors with horse-related connections. 

The 2025 edition of Meet the Neighbors will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 (weather permitting). This is a great way to spend time with others already in the equestrian community as well as those who simply want to spend time outdoors and around horses.

The Milton Equestrian Committee next will talk about a presentation that members plan to give to the City Council in April. This presentation is in line with MEC’s mission of sharing their insights, opinions, and expertise with City leaders.

Wednesday’s final agenda item relates to HB 614, legislation moving through the State legislature related to fireworks that is co-sponsored by (among others) Rep. Jan Jones of Milton as well as local State Senators in Brandon Beach and Charles Martin. Among other things, this bill would “authorize local governments to prohibit the use or ignition of consumer fireworks in proximity to certain facilities housing equines.”

For more on this legislation, go to https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70744. And to learn about the impacts and Milton-specific regulations on fireworks, check out www.miltonga.gov/Fireworks.

After Wednesday’s meeting, the Milton Equestrian Committee is next scheduled to convene on April 16.