Controversy in Lake County over farm worker housing plan

TAVARES, Fla. (FOX 35 ORLANDO) - Lake County’s planning and zoning commission voted 3-to-1 against a plan to house workers from abroad on a farm's property, but the living quarters could still be built.

The board's ruling was good news for most of the people who showed up to the Wednesday morning meeting, neighbors who were against the company's proposal to build housing for around 200 guest workers.

“My main thing is our property values,” said one neighbor, “that's what I'm concerned about.”

“I am sure I will see the 46,200 square foot building, regardless of the 24-foot hedge that they put up,” said another neighbor.

The Liner Source company says the living quarters are for workers brought in on a work visa program, who will live there. Neighbors worried about the conditions, though.

“This even smacks of modern-day slavery,” said one neighbor.

Liner Source officials said they couldn't find qualified local workers for these jobs and tried to allay the neighbors' worries about the foreign workers.

“The housing is locally inspected once a month by the county and has to follow all federal housing codes, in addition to local codes,” said Raquel Martin, who works for the company.

One neighbor said her biggest concern is why there's no one locally who's willing to take these jobs. “I feel we need to change our welfare system and get people out to work at these jobs that we have to employ people to come in,” said the neighbor.

Next, the decision goes before the full county board of commissioners for their consideration. That meeting is set for May 21.