Stafford County officials have limited the number of unrelated people living in a single-family home and added a definition of a "family" to the county code.
After a brief public hearing last night, the Board of Supervisors amended the zoning ordinance to allow for only four people not related by blood, marriage, adoption or guardianship to live in a residential dwelling. The 5-2 vote included a definition of a family as "a group of people living together as a single housekeeping unit."
The ordinance does not include group homes, such as those for the handicapped or those licensed by the Department of Social Services.
However, some supervisors were concerned the ordinance could marginalize certain groups of people. It first came to the board in April, shortly after the Illegal Immigration Task Force public hearings held earlier this year. At the hearings, several residents complained about overcrowded homes and driveways overflowing with cars. Some of them suspected illegal immigrants or day laborers lived in the homes.
"I tend to agree that the perception could be, maybe, that this is directed toward a particular group, whether it be true or not," said Griffis--Widewater Supervisor Bob Woodson, who, along with Chairman George Schwartz, voted against the measure.
But other supervisors said overcrowded homes are safety concerns that cause noise pollution and residential streets crammed with cars.
"What we miss are the gross abuses of the occupancies on homes and the impact those gross abuses have on the neighbors," said Garrisonville Supervisors Mark Dudenhefer.
Concerns also were raised about how the ordinance would impact unmarried couples living together with their children.
"The reality is there's a lot of those situations out there," said Aquia Supervisor Paul Milde. "We need to give exceptions to parents of the same child."
Supervisors amended the ordinance to allow for two unrelated heads of households to live together with any number of offspring, foster, step or adopted children.
Patrick Walsh, one of just a handful of speakers at the public hearing, said the ordinance could adversely affect unrelated immigrants who live together to eventually become self-sufficient and to people who rent out rooms in their homes.
"People taking care of people, do we really need to destroy that aspect?" he asked. "People are just trying to get by these days."
The original proposal was more stringent, allowing no more than three unrelated people to live together. The Planning Commission recommended denial of the resolution.
Kafia Hosh: 540/735-1977
Email: khosh@freelancestar.com
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OTHER LOCALITIES Spotsylvania County passed a similar zoning ordinance last year to regulate how many people can occupy a bedroom, living room and dining room. Spotsylvania supervisors also approved a zoning amendment that defines a "family" as one or more people related by blood or marriage, together with any number of children, and no more than two roomers or boarders; or no more than three unrelated persons (eight if handicapped). Loudoun County defines family as one or more persons related by blood and marriage with any number of children and no more than four unrelated persons. The town of Culpeper limits unrelated persons allowed in a home to five. Prince William County, Fredericksburg limit unrelated persons allowed in a home to three. Herndon limits unrelated persons allowed in a home to four. The city of Fairfax limits unrelated persons in a home to three. --Dan Telvock |