Charlotte County Planning Commission recommends allowing emergency shelters in agricultural zoning

The Charlotte County Planning Commission voted Feb. 15 to recommend a zoning text amendment that would allow emergency housing shelters as a conditional use in the county's General Agriculture zoning district.

At a public hearing, Shelley Mays-Couch, executive director of Love Over Crisis LLC, told commissioners “there is currently no emergency housing shelter in Charlotte County or surrounding counties,” and said the proposed shelter would serve nonviolent, screened participants and coordinate with other organizations. Love Over Crisis's executive director's assistant told the commission the organization currently provides services for “about 200 cases in nine counties, including 25 cases in Charlotte County,” and said reliance on motels for temporary housing has been costly and unreliable.

The proposal drew written support from several local service providers. Shawn Rozier, vice president of housing for STEPS, said his agency had referred shelter requests to Tri-County Community Action and found Love Over Crisis to be an “excellent resource.” Paul and Joanna Baker of FACES Food Pantry volunteered to support residents with food assistance. Petrina Carter, president of Tri-County Community Action, confirmed her agency leads the Continuum of Care for Charlotte County and cited challenges finding adequate affordable housing. Jill Ahmad of the Piedmont Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse Coalition linked gaps in shelter access to substance misuse and mental-health needs.

Not all commenters supported the amendment. A written comment from citizen Terry Ramsey recommended denial, questioning whether the county had the financial or support capacity to serve nonresidents and expressing concern the use could affect towns and nearby residences.

During discussion, commissioners asked about security, service area, staffing and transportation. Ms. Mays-Couch said the facility would use an ADT camera and an alarm system that would alert staff if someone left after hours, that emergency calls would be directed to 911, and that staff could respond in person when necessary. She said the shelter would serve Planning District 14 (Charlotte, Prince Edward, Cumberland, Buckingham, Lunenburg and Amelia), and would rely on the local workforce center, faith organizations, Crossroads for case management, Medicaid for medical transport and the FAB bus for senior transportation. She also said weekday staffing was planned.

Commissioners discussed potential impacts on the sheriff's office and the Department of Social Services. Ms. Mays-Couch reported the sheriff had expressed concerns that the program could increase workload but had identified no issues with the pilot program; she said Social Services Director Sara Goff had voiced concern about likely increased workload and limited resources.

Eugene Wells moved to recommend approval of the zoning text amendment; James Benn seconded. The roll-call vote was: Eugene Wells, Aye; James Benn, Aye; W.V. Nichols, No; Clark Poindexter, Aye; Kerwin Kunath, No; Kenny Howard, No; Miller Adams, Aye; David Watkins Jr., Aye; Andrew Carwile, Aye; Cornell Goldman, Abstain. With six ayes, three nos and one abstention, the motion carried.

The commission then adjourned. The recommendation now moves to the next step in the county's zoning amendment process, where final action will be determined by the Board of Supervisors and any additional required public hearings or conditions will be addressed.