The Milton Equestrian Committee will convene Wednesday with a focus on what might be done to encourage the retention of large properties, especially those used as farms.

The August 20 meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers (2006 Heritage Walk). Citizens can attend in-person or watch online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_5ZtrXkRuU.

Sometimes referred to as MEC, the Milton Equestrian Committee is made up of seven individuals appointed by the Mayor and City Councilmembers. Its members explore topics of interest to the local equestrian community, sharing their insights, opinions, and expertise with City staff and elected officials. The committee’s webpage is https://www.miltonga.gov/government/boards-committees/equestrian-committee.

The first substantive item on Wednesday’s agenda is an update from Community Development staff on the City’s “large lot” project. (In this context, “large lots” are defined as being 3 acres or greater.) This initiative aims to give property owners more good reasons to keep their parcels the same size or even bigger rather than subdivide them. You can learn more about this project at www.miltonga.gov/largelots.

City staff has been working on this effort for several months, consulting with the City Council as well as regularly with the Milton Equestrian Community. This will be another update to convey what’s happened recently as well as to continue to solicit MEC members’ feedback.

Wednesday’s other agenda item is similar: “Discussion of Farm Incentives.” This is an opportunity for the MEC to discuss specifically about how the City could support those who own agricultural or horse farms, including possible incentives to continue these uses on their properties.

After this meeting, the Milton Equestrian Committee is next scheduled to convene on Wednesday, September 17.