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Planning commission asks staff to draft rules for proposed emergency temporary housing
Summary
Love Over Crisis asked to allow emergency temporary housing in the General Agricultural District; the commission asked staff to draft supplemental regulations after questions about cost, security and services; no zoning change was adopted at the meeting.
CHARLOTTE COURT HOUSE, Va. — Love Over Crisis told the Charlotte County Planning Commission on Nov. 16 it seeks a zoning text amendment to allow "Emergency Temporary Housing" in the General Agricultural District for parcel #038-1-4A at 1839 Thomas Jefferson Highway.
Shelley Mays-Couch, executive director of Love Over Crisis, said hotels are being used for emergency temporary housing "which was expensive and provided no supervision," and described a proposed independent facility she said would reduce costs and allow onsite supports. She said Love Over Crisis would install security cameras, have weekday staffing on site, and partner with organizations such as Crossroads to provide substance-abuse support. The application packet included an example draft ordinance for "Humanitarian Shelters" being considered by the City of Winchester.
Why it matters: Commissioners noted that the county lacks a specific zoning use for temporary emergency housing in rural districts and asked practical questions about monitoring, security, and whether services could be provided for residents with substance-abuse issues. Chairman Andrew Carwile and staff emphasized that, if the zoning text is amended, any future project would be subject to the new rule.
Outcome: After discussion, commissioners by consensus requested staff to develop draft supplemental regulations that could be applied to conditional use permits for temporary emergency housing. No formal amendment or conditional-use approval was made at the Nov. 16 meeting; staff will prepare draft regulations for future review.
