Camden County approves special-use permit for manufactured home on Crooked River Drive after contested hearing

The Camden County Board of Commissioners on June 3 approved a special‑use permit to allow a manufactured home in R‑2 zoning at 424 Crooked River Drive in District 2 after a public hearing that included multiple residents for and against the request.

The issue matters locally because it concerns how the county applies R‑2 zoning and special‑use rules in neighborhoods with mixed housing types and because neighbors said the decision could affect perceived property values in a retirement and deep‑water area of Harriet's Bluff.

Planning staff member Joy told the board the parcel is on the corner of Crooked River Drive and Pelican Road and that the area’s future land‑use designation is residential, which requires special‑use approval for a manufactured home permit. Joy said staff’s inspection found a mixture of housing types in the study area: of 92 parcels reviewed, 48% are mobile homes, 27% are single‑family homes and 25% are vacant lots. Planning Commission recommended approval.

Supporters at the hearing urged the board to approve the request so the applicant, 73‑year‑old Rebecca Langloy, can live near family and retain independence. Shay Hallahan, speaking on the applicant’s behalf, read a prepared statement describing Langloy’s ties to the community, said the proposed home complies with planning guidelines, and left booklets with commissioners documenting nearby manufactured homes and property history. James Hallahan, who identified himself as family, said the manufactured homes predate many of the area’s waterfront houses and that the parcel’s septic installation and related site work were carried out in accordance with state rules.

Opponents included Dr. Gail Dugger, who said she owns multiple properties in Harriet’s Bluff and challenged the notice process and the planning commission’s handling; she said placing a manufactured home amid deep‑water houses would be inappropriate. Realtor and property owner Christy Bordelon said she believes an assessor would treat a manufactured home differently and that surrounding assessed values — she said the neighborhood average assessed value is about $360,000 — could be affected.

After public comment, a commissioner moved to approve the special‑use permit; the motion received a second and passed (the meeting minutes record the motion as approved by voice vote). The planning commission’s recommendation to approve and the board’s vote mean staff may proceed with permitting steps subject to applicable county codes and building permits.

The record shows the planning commission voted 4–1 to recommend approval at its prior meeting; the board vote on June 3 carried without a roll‑call tally recorded in the public comments portion of the transcript.

Applicants and opponents were given time for rebuttal during the public hearing; applicants said required septic and site work had been completed and that the manufactured home would be placed in an area where similar units already exist.