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Board approves special‑exception permit for farm labor housing after heated public comment
Summary
The board granted Robert Watkins a special‑exception permit to place one double‑wide mobile home for farm laborers on RR3‑zoned land with staff conditions (double‑wide only; 150‑foot setback). Multiple neighbors objected; one commenter used xenophobic language that drew rebuke from other speakers and staff emphasized federal and zoning oversight.
The Amelia County Board of Supervisors approved a special‑exception permit allowing a single double‑wide mobile home to house farm laborers on property owned by Robert Watkins, with the staff‑recommended conditions in option 1. The permit was limited to one double‑wide, located generally where the applicant's sketch indicated, and required the mobile home to meet the agricultural structure setbacks (150 feet) and be used for farm labor only.
Several nearby residents spoke against the application, raising concerns about property values, traffic and proximity to existing houses. Resident Earl Dalton said, "I think about putting Mexicans right in front of your house," a remark that several board members and other commenters addressed during the hearing. Planning staff explained the code basis for a special exception: "The code states the placing of a detached mobile home on a farm for use as a dwelling unit by 1 or more persons employed on the farm... is allowed as a permitting used by special exception." The board voted to approve the application with the staff conditions described in the packet.
Staff and some board members urged neighbors and the applicant to attempt to reach a compromise outside the public hearing process; staff also clarified that this approval covers only the single structure requested and that any future additional units would require separate approvals.
