A long-awaited development of manufactured homes for Ventura County farmworkers was approved Thursday for the Limoneira Co.’s ranch outside Santa Paula.

The county Planning Commission approved a permit for the 74 units of family housing almost four years after the agribusiness firm applied for permission to add the housing.

Limoneira and county officials have blamed each other for the delays, but the commission’s approval Thursday was believed to be the last hurdle.

With most farmworker housing going up in cities, the project is unusual because it would add housing on a grower’s land.

Limoneira submitted its application to the county Planning Division Aug. 18, 2005, for 92 homes, but the figure fell to 86, then 74 as problems arose with potential flooding and subdivision issues on the historic ranch off Cummings Road.

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