The Milton Equestrian Committee will meet Wednesday evening to consider, among other topics, a fencing request to contain especially large, powerful horses.

The November 19 meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall’s Council Chambers. People can attend in-person or watch online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIZdixiilrc. 

Consisting of seven individuals appointed by Milton’s Mayor and Councilmembers, the Milton Equestrian Committee considers matters of importance to the local equestrian community. Its members share their insights, opinions, and expertise on such topics with elected officials and City staff. For more about what’s also called MEC, visit https://www.miltonga.gov/government/boards-committees/equestrian-committee/. 

After approving the meeting’s agenda, MEC will shift to its first item – a discussion of the next clean-up day at Birmingham Park, likely to happen on a weekend day in 2026 before spring blooms in full. Birmingham Park is beloved by people all around Milton, especially horse enthusiasts who enjoy riding along its natural trails. In fact, this park has a special parking lot suitable for horse trailers in addition to other features to accommodate horses.  The Milton Equestrian Committee is regularly involved in Birmingham Park’s annual clean-up days, and it plans to contribute again next year. 

Interim Community Development Director Diana Wheeler will next seek MEC members’ feedback about a special fencing-related request – which would require a City Code variance – that was recently made to the City. The applicant is seeking to install a fence in a front yard that is taller than the 5-foot high equestrian fence that’s allowed under City Code. Specifically, the owner wants to erect an 8-foot high opaque fence made of different material (Trex composite) than normal wood fencing to better contain three large, strong Clydesdale Shire horses. These can grow over 6 feet (or 19 hands) tall and weigh more than a ton, leading to concerns that a standard horse fence wouldn’t deter them. 

Community Development Department members then will continue their months-long discussion with MEC about the City potentially adopting new measures to give residents more incentives to maintain (or even grow) their large lots of 3 acres or larger. The Milton Equestrian Committee’s recommendations were presented to the City Council on October 6. On Wednesday, MEC members will reconsider some of those recommendations in light of the Council’s feedback. 

This will be followed by two items focused on the Milton Equestrian Committee itself. The first is to set the MEC’s 2026 meeting schedule. Then there will be a conversation about possibly producing a brochure to explain the Milton Equestrian Committee’s structure and role in our community. 

After this week’s meeting, MEC is next scheduled to convene on December 17.