By Daniel Ritz
A settlement has been reached between the City of Dana Point and Thomas Volkmann, owner of Dana Point Automotive Inc. After filing a lawsuit in April, 2017 that Volkmann had been “unlawfully coerced” into executing an agreement to close the auto repair operation due to City code violations, the City of Dana Point countersued in February of 2018 for breach of contract, abatement of nuisance and other fines.
An estimate of the daily fines amounts due reached a sum of $650,000. The settlement states Volkmann will pay $50,000 within 30 days of filing of the agreement followed by an additional $200,000 due no later than Dec. 31, 2019. Also in the statement, Volkmann is ordered to close down by Jan. 31, 2019. In between those dates, Volkmann is expected to follow a series of operating rules including operating within current city zoning permit needs, performing all mechanic work inside the shop building from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., and remove all inoperable vehicles not under immediate or active repair from the grounds. Stay tuned to this story on wwwdanapointtimes.com.
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