Phoenix Operator Involved in Neighborhood Dispute

MESA, ARIZ. — For the past six months, the owners of Avalon Limousines, William and Mary Ann Robitaille and their son, Billy Jinks, have been involved in a dispute over a zoning violation in their neighborhood. A group of homeowners in the upscale Bradley Country Estates subdivision in Mesa, Ariz., claim the company has been operating out of the Robitaille home since July 2006. The residents have attempted to get the city’s attention in the matter but have come up short on any definitive evidence proving the Robitailles are in violation of the neighborhood’s restrictions. The Code Compliance Division of Bradley Country, however, has issued a citation against the family and a hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 28. According to the compliance director, the case has been a difficult one to construct. “My inspector has been out there 50 times,” he said. “The neighbors tell us one thing, and the owners of the business tell us another.”

Jinks, who manages Avalon, said the business is not operated out of his family’s home and that the company’s vehicles are only parked at the residence when they need to be washed. Police spokesmen said the Robitailles have been eager to comply and have done everything asked of them by authorities. Shortly after receiving the zoning violation citation, the Robitailles began leasing space for the vehicles. Homeowners say the limousines are still a presence and nuisance in the neighborhood.

Source: www.azcentral.com

UPDATE:

Avalon Limousines won a Feb. 14, 2007 citation hearing that proved the company is in total compliance with the Code Compliance Division of Bradley Country Estates. According to Billy Jinks, the citation was dropped during the hearing and there will be a community meeting to make all of the subdivision's residents aware the dispute has been resolved.

Avalon has an office nearby the Robitaille home, where it parks all of its vehicles.

For more info, visit www.avalonlimoaz.com