[{"_1":2,"_86":-5,"_87":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6193095,"mediaKeyId","3868065-5cbd31b9efa1165a67ac9af85ca38b63","parentId",3868065,"title","Milton staff, equestrian committee debate large‑lot incentives, buffers and AG‑exemption rules","audioSeconds",2448,"startMs",570000,"endMs",3018000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868065-5cbd31b9efa1165a67ac9af85ca38b63&start=570&end=3018","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868065-5cbd31b9efa1165a67ac9af85ca38b63/thumbnail_570000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6193095/Milton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Milton-staff-equestrian-committee-debate-largelot-incentives-buffers-and-AGexemption-rules","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193095-8df9cdc2a3581afdd991c25406b1373c/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578728&Signature=LmQrtQ9Nk0M36I6FBnbb0aeAzzGEbtWoyaqm49AweY9HbevZ99sDzhZTaq0EoQDETM2jlTYegCYZDCeFtHsJucwxNcsiH5eTNJlHfMbHLHtTz7lVdNcOyk6TTKT-y6T6Jm0Ga1EnCj6JR81KudEj9Fn-G5AZyfuIefmKLjdN0nuQspe6OOLhAmseU6zQARs9t7gwNkDK65nvOaPMGjnFw6-~Of2sHN0-GVcRqZnahEheUy4IVVEho3~wQlGR3w0GZV22-4OK4WT4XwbpCmplJWtWZHam--0YPxpPik72UCJYhN~BX0~xfBFc5GMh56kbg2tz-3G0Tth~A0vBWXwWdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-06-19T11:44:49Z","article","Diana Wheeler, interim community development director, told the Milton Equestrian Committee Wednesday that staff has drafted a package of incentives and code clarifications aimed at preserving large lots and supporting equestrian operations in the city.

The measures under discussion include allowing home‑based businesses to operate in accessory structures without a public hearing, requiring a 50‑foot vegetative buffer where a new subdivision creates more than twice the number of lots adjacent to a large parcel, waiving business license fees for qualifying equestrian farms, and tightening the city’s AG exemption process so exemptions apply to specific activities rather than to a property “in perpetuity.”

Wheeler said the AG exemption is narrowly drawn: “The AG exemption applies to activity, not property,” and staff proposes that each exempt activity require a separate application and review. She told the committee that staff would schedule applications for committee review, the committee would make a recommendation, and staff would then issue a decision. If staff denies an exemption, applicants could appeal to the Board of Zoning Appeals, Wheeler said.

Committee members pressed for details. On home‑based businesses, Wheeler said current rules allow work from the main dwelling but not in detached accessory structures without a special‑use permit, which she estimated can take about four months. She cited two recent approvals — including a small bookbinding business that converted a barn on Providence Road — as examples that the rule change could ease administrative steps for property owners who want to work from an accessory building. Committee members asked whether riding‑lesson barns or boarding operations would count as home‑based businesses; Wheeler replied that classification depends on magnitude and context, and that some larger equestrian operations would continue to be treated as commercial uses.

On buffers, staff proposed a 50‑foot vegetative buffer between new subdivisions and adjacent large‑lot agricultural (AG) parcels when the subdivision creates at least twice the number of lots adjacent to an existing large parcel. Wheeler and committee members said the buffer would be held as common open space owned by an HOA so it would not count toward lot area and would reduce density immediately adjacent to large parcels. The committee discussed how setbacks would interact with the buffer; Wheeler said setbacks would be measured from the buffer line, not the property line, and that existing setback standards (discussed verbally at the meeting) would remain unchanged.

The committee also favored exploring a business‑license fee exemption for equestrian farms on large lots. Wheeler said staff would research whether waiving the occupational tax fee for qualifying horse farms or similar equestrian facilities would be feasible as an incentive.

On AG exemptions, staff presented a multi‑step proposal: an initial application and staff completeness review, a Milton Equestrian Committee recommendation after an evidentiary review, and a staff decision. Wheeler emphasized that an AG exemption authorizes a specific land‑disturbing activity — not a permanent change to a parcel — and that if a property owner later seeks different or additional work, they must submit a new application to determine whether that activity furthers the originally authorized exempt activity. The committee discussed including a time limit for authorized work; staff proposed language such as “AG exempt work must be completed within one year of approval or the site may be required to be returned to a pre‑exempt condition.” Members debated whether “complete” or “begin” should be the controlling standard and whether exceptions were needed for genuine, demonstrated delays.

Committee members recommended that staff draft clearer, activity‑specific guidelines and evaluation criteria to help the Milton Equestrian Committee make consistent recommendations. Wheeler said staff will prepare a summary of the items the committee supports and the items it does not, and return with draft ordinance language where code changes are required; the goal is to produce a package the committee can forward to city council by fall.

The discussion produced no formal vote; staff and the committee agreed to continue refining the package and return with draft language for recommendation to the city council.

Wheeler asked the committee to provide feedback on specific language, and staff said they would return with refined drafts, implementation details and suggested code edits for committee review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Milton Equestrian Committee (MEC) Meeting 06.18.2025","oneSentenceSummary","Diana Wheeler, interim community development director, told the Milton Equestrian Committee Wednesday that staff has drafted a package of incentives and code clarifications aimed at preserving large lots and supporting equestrian operations in the city.","taxTitle","Milton, Fulton County, Georgia","taxId",51825,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6193088,"Milton committee discusses HB 614, new 200‑yard fireworks signage and an educational rollout",770,3031000,3801000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868065-5cbd31b9efa1165a67ac9af85ca38b63&start=3031&end=3801","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868065-5cbd31b9efa1165a67ac9af85ca38b63/thumbnail_3031000.jpg","/articles/6193088/Milton/Fulton-County/Georgia/Milton-committee-discusses-HB-614-new-200yard-fireworks-signage-and-an-educational-rollout","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6193088-e61fc11a257cade3acf634d5ad33a974/orig.mp4?Expires=1773578728&Signature=N85XpAfFBTonGg380pxXbtBB0feumfSp6lPfHedt7LR7STAsqDmBAl16EWY6p3dSlpDKahYxgOwXpcwicJCzfp13yW3PG2OJC-gZNQ~wqGxmJFL5iGSSsvIoWQSUHmJTZkSdR00m3G4jWX06~~N~j5RgX8LJgaqMvUwNjIjnC3VomJ9wMlMT1jrU~xakUT6n6-kX7uMJmaOt72iuvVLGftn0w9yP9IGxEMY3L-OmLwZI~U6JDF1pcY9UQV4UVQqhfr3jJgHJ648CouRKQphN62vWEoX4YAILnMuDh4OWiqPzRbTenECovX1XFauB0dkaHVxUw-m9cJafgsDvVZMHLA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Milton Equestrian Committee discussed House Bill 614 and next steps for public outreach and enforcement after city council voted unanimously to adopt the bill’s local ordinance language.

Committee members and staff said the city will make yard signs available reading, in substance, “No fireworks allowed within 200 yards of this property” with a City of Milton logo, and will place digital message boards and mobile signage at high‑visibility roadways ahead of the July 4 period. Staff also said residents can sign out signs at City Hall; staff will record contact information when signs are issued.

Committee members and city staff clarified that HB 614 applies to consumer fireworks (private, retail fireworks used by residents). Commercial fireworks — such as a display hired by an HOA or a subdivision — remain a permitted activity subject to the city’s permit process; staff and committee members said those applicants already must apply for a permit and the city will evaluate the display site and proximity to horse properties as part of permit review.

City communications staff will produce flyers and social media posts for distribution; committee members suggested placing flyers at retail points where consumer fireworks are sold. A communications plan and digital messaging were in active preparation, and staff said they would share the materials with committee members for local sharing.

On enforcement, a committee member said the city’s first year under the new law will be educational: “This is not the year that the city’s gonna start writing tickets. This is an educational year,” (committee member, speaking during the discussion). Staff confirmed that the city plans an outreach period before moving to issuance of penalties for violations and that commercial permit reviews will continue to evaluate public‑safety concerns and proximity to equestrian operations.

The committee also asked staff to confirm how the city will handle commercial permit applications under the new ordinance and requested a GIS map of known horse properties to help with site evaluations. Staff said they are procuring the signs and will coordinate distribution, placement of mobile message boards and social‑media outreach in the weeks leading up to July 4.","Following the city council’s unanimous approval of state House Bill 614, committee members and staff reviewed a plan to distribute 200‑yard ‘no fireworks’ signs for horse properties, clarify permit rules for commercial displays and emphasize an educational enforcement approach this year.","actionData","errors"]

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Milton staff, equestrian committee debate large‑lot incentives, buffers and AG‑exemption rules

Milton committee discusses HB 614, new 200‑yard fireworks signage and an educational rollout