Youngster can stay in Sun City

[Max]

Youngster can stay in Sun City
Board gives family 14 more months

By Dennis Godfrey
The Arizona Republic
April 11, 2002


As Sun Citians muttered and shook their heads, a 9-year-old girl won the right Wednesday to remain in her grandmother's Sun City home, along with her parents and a severely injured brother.


Brittney Shields can stay another 14 months in the house where her family moved after Brittney's brother was hurt in a 2000 traffic accident.

The Maricopa County Board of Adjustment's decision can be appealed to Superior Court within 30 days.

Sun City has age-restricted zoning, meaning children are not allowed, except for short periods. The board temporarily eased that restriction for Brittney.

About 600 Sun City residents signed petitions or wrote the board in opposition to allowing the child to continue to stay in Mary Scott's home. About 50 people attended the meeting to show their opposition.

There was no evidence that Brittney caused problems in Sun City, but residents fear her presence threatens the zoning that allows areas to be designated as retirement communities.

However, the board, on a 3-1 vote, said that allowing the child to remain in Sun City temporarily would not open the floodgates of children into the community.

Brittney's mother, Susan Trantham, said 14 months would be adequate for the family to get another house.

"I'm very relieved. This takes an incredible load off our shoulders," she said.

The family moved into Scott's home because it could accommodate the physical needs of Michael Shields after he suffered a spinal injury in an auto accident and because of the financial burden caused by his care.

Michael, 22, suffered a spinal cord injury. He attended Wednesday's hearing in a wheelchair.


Reach the reporter at dennis. godfrey@arizonarepublic.com or (602) 444-6921.

<A HREF="http://www.pluslotto.com/default.asp?urlref=3300003298889" TARGET=_blank>
</A>