The County Commission on Wednesday voted 5-4 to allow a manufactured home that is near some "fancy homes" on Flat Top Mountain.

The commission was acting on a resolution to consider an appeal and render a final decision on a special permit for a single wide manufactured home located at 12632 Jones Gap Road.

A representative of Clayton Homes said a woman lived on the 2.7-acre tract, and she wanted the manufactured home for her son and wife and their special needs child.

The home was described as being across from a $1.5 million house.

The commission was told that there are 12 manufactured homes in that vicinity, and a number of large homes have gone in as well.

Commissioner David Sharpe said, "It's getting harder and harder for people to afford to live" in Hamilton County.

He said, "You have people who have built these big fancy houses and they don't want the other people to live there."

 Commissioner Mike Chauncey said the opposition was "because the not fancy house wants to move by the fancy houses."

He said, "I hope the rest of you guys can have a heart" and vote approval.

Voting to allow the manufactured home were Commissioners Sharpe, Chauncey, Warren Mackey, Lee Helton and Joe Graham.

Opposed were Commissioners Jeff Eversole, Steve Highlander, Gene-o Shipley and Ken Smith.

Absent were Chip Baker and Greg Beck.