Waynesboro councilors applaud District Home developer for nixing manufactured homes

Waynesboro city councilors expressed appreciation that the developer behind a planned 400-unit housing development at the old District Home site was willing to amend the final application to not include any so-called manufactured homes.

Manufactured homes are often confused for mobile homes, but the industry makes a distinction between the two kinds of factory-built, prefabricated residences: Manufactured homes must comply with stricter frame, insulation, plumbing, electrical, fire safety and energy efficiency requirements as part of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development standards.

Waynesboro City Council approved a rezoning for the Smith Farm property in north Waynesboro on Monday night, clearing the way for Richmond-based developer Stockbridge to develop the land that was once home to the District Home, or "Poor Farm," that served the area's poor, indigent and homeless for 65 years before closing in the 1990s. Today, the District Home is crumbling.

Stockbridge is planning to build a variety of duplexes, multiplexes, townhouses and single-family residences on the property.

Originally, the developer included a provision allowing up to 30 manufactured homes in that mix. The final application included none.

Developer Aaron Revere said he made the amendment at Council's urging.

Councilors said scant details about manufactured homes was a concern.

Waynesboro City Councilman Terry Short told The News Virginian via text Tuesday that "this aspect of the application lacked the specifics and detail that council felt comfortable approving." Short further said that "with no assurance of the age, condition of the homes, I think this made that aspect of the planned unit development concerning."

Waynesboro Vice Mayor Jim Wood told The News Virginian he appreciates that Stockbridge was willing to make the change.

"They didn't have to work with us, but they were willing to listen,'' Wood said of the compromise.

And while they maintain there is not war on manufactured homes, Waynesboro City Council did veto two conditional use permit requests Monday night for moving manufactured homes into two East End neighborhoods.

Wood said requests for manufactured homes must be considered on the merits of each case and the character of the surrounding neighborhood.

"The East End is headed in the opposite direction of 30-year-old manufactured homes,'' he said.

The councilman noted that he and his colleagues did grant a conditional use permit a few months ago to a Waynesboro woman who wanted to relocate near her daughter with a manufactured home.

"Her home was newer, and she wanted to be closer to her daughter,'' he said.

Wood said one of the considerations for approving manufactured homes is the impact on neighbors.

"You have to have respect for neighboring parties,'' he said.

Bob Stuart (540) 932-3562 on X

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