Milton hears Equestrian Committee recommendations on large-lot incentives; council asks for more data before code changes

Interim Community Development Director Diana Wheeler presented recommendations from the Milton Equestrian Committee for "large-lot incentives" intended to support equestrian uses and preserve large properties in Milton. The committee proposed a mixed package of regulatory changes and incentives; councilmembers asked for more data and stakeholder input before the city moves any text amendments to the Planning Commission.

"I'm pleased to present to you this evening, the Milton Equestrian Committee's recommendations for large lot incentives for the purpose of general discussion and to solicit your feedback," Wheeler said, opening a broad 9-month review process that combined staff, committee and public input.

The committee’s key recommendations summarized by staff include: - Allowing covered riding arenas to be approved via an administrative permit (rather than a multi‑month public use‑permit hearing), using the same criteria applied to the previously approved Wood Road arena; lighting at residential property lines would remain subject to the Unified Development Code illumination standard (about 1 foot‑candle at a residential property line). - Expanding stormwater flexibility for properties 3 acres or larger — allowing dry wells, infiltration trenches, rainwater harvesting and other low‑impact measures and permitting conservation easements to be used in water‑quality calculations. - Allowing home‑based businesses to operate in accessory buildings on lots of 3 acres or greater, subject to existing home‑occupation limits (for example, resident operators only, limits on customers, vehicle and signage restrictions, and structure-size limits such as a 750 square foot accessory building cap). - Creating an AG exemption review process in which activities claiming agricultural exemption would be reviewed with input from the equestrian committee. - Requiring vegetative or undisturbed buffers (50 or 75 feet, depending on site size) between proposed subdivisions and adjacent large lots when the subdivision would create two or more times the number of lots along a shared property line. - Other suggestions included signage and neighbor notification for large proposed subdivisions, a sliding scale for development fees based on parcel count, and pre‑approved standard plans for run‑in sheds or similar equestrian structures to simplify permitting.

Public commenters and committee data were cited during the presentation. Christy Hayes, who identified herself as representing the Milton Equestrian Committee, reviewed the committee’s prior presentation and statistics: "We have 226 farms with horses, donkeys, or cows... 94 CUVA's in Milton, 1,400 properties over 3 acres, and 257 over 10 acres. The average farm in Milton is 12 acres," she told the council.

Residents and council members expressed a mix of support and caution. Ike Kansy spoke during public comment, saying, "I'm here tonight to speak in opposition to short term rentals," citing neighborhood nuisance concerns. Several council members asked staff to collect more data — for example, how many covered arenas exist in Milton and the acreage of parcels where arenas have been approved — and requested input from the trails and equestrian committees on trail materials, arena sizes and setbacks.

Council discussion flagged several practical concerns: covered arenas require maintenance and can produce light and sound impacts; trail proliferation can erode natural habitat if mileage is not controlled; adding small improvements and parking can incrementally reduce conservation value; and some members questioned whether 3 acres is the appropriate threshold for some incentives or whether a larger minimum (e.g., 5 or 10 acres) would be more appropriate. Staff noted the Pleasant Hollow bookbinding example as a use that had previously required a use permit.

Diana Wheeler told the council staff would prepare specific text amendments reflecting the council’s feedback, then present those amendments to the Planning Commission (targeted for November) for public review and a formal recommendation before any ordinance changes return to council.

No final code changes were adopted at the meeting; the council directed staff to refine proposals, provide additional data about existing covered riding arenas and parcel sizes, and consult with the trails and equestrian committees before the Planning Commission review.