The Roanoke Times | File 2008

The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors say that amending the zoning ordinance would create an "enforcement nightmare."

DALEVILLE -- The Botetourt County Board of Supervisors unanimously upheld Tuesday evening the planning commission's recommendation to deny adding a definition for a "recreational park trailer" to the county's zoning ordinance.

That means a Chesterfield couple will have to move a trailer from their Oriskany property.

Polly Anne and Wayne Crouch petitioned the county for the change because they want to keep a recreational park trailer on their property along Craig Creek. The Crouches children and grandchildren use the site to camp, hunt and fish.

Because the log cabin-trailer hybrid does not meet state code for stick-built homes or federal standards for manufactured homes, it has perplexed county officials for months.

Chuck Supan, the county's zoning administrator, said the dwelling was placed there after county officials said such dwellings are not permitted in the county.

A building inspector discovered the trailer, which is connected to water, sewer and electrical service, while conducting another inspection nearby.

"I know we got off on a bad start at first, but I am willing to work with you any way I can," Wayne Crouch told the board at Tuesday's meeting.

The board's reason for denial was twofold. First, the unit was placed without permission, which created some tension between the county officials and the applicant. Second, some board members felt it would set an unfair precedent.

"It is a nice-looking unit, but I see it as an enforcement nightmare," said Buchanan District Supervisor Terry Austin.

If the zoning definition had been added, the Crouches would have had to modify their trailer to meet the county's building code before they could have received a special-exemption permit.

Fincastle District Supervisor Don Meredith, who made the motion for denial, said making the modifications did not fit with the unit's intended use.

"It is kind of like upgrading from a farm tractor to a passenger car. Even if it is possible it is not a real good idea," he said.

The planning commission had voted 3-2 to deny the request at its Jan. 12 meeting.