In a lawsuit filed Friday, Aug. 29, 2008, Colorado Springs asked a 4th Judicial District judge to order Holger and Sally Christiansen to lower their wall, move it back from front and side property lines and remove it from a city alley.
The wall, erected around their Old North End mansion at 1221 N. Cascade Ave., has been a subject of debate for a year. Some neighbors like the wall and written the city in support of the structure, which is made of red Virginia brick and cost $200,000.
Others, however, say the wall creates a compound feel that is out of place in the North End. They want it torn down. They object because it exceeds the maximum six-foot height for fences and walls, overlaps on property boundaries and was built two feet into the city’s right-of-way in the alley.
Christiansen, an architect, argues there are many similar walls throughout the North End and the city. He said the city should back off instead of bowing to political pressure from his neighbors.
Here is are a few photos of the wall and the Christiansen mansion:
Below are photos taken by Christiansen to prove his argument that many walls and fences violate city codes for setbacks, height requirements and even encroachment in city right-of-ways.
Here is a photo of the wall and the alley. Christiansen notes that several structures up and down the alley are as close to the right-of-way as his wall. And he notes his wall is behind the utility pole, so how could it restrict traffic as the city suggests.
The following photos are examples, Christiansen said, of dozens of other walls that violate codes, just like his wall.
Christiansen said North Enders should appreciate his efforts to enhance his property with the wall. Here are before and after photos of an outbuilding on his property.
Here is a more detailed map of the Old North End: oldnorthendmap.pdf
The wall looks great!!! What a bunch of nanny’s! Poor little babies.
It’s a shame that some people want to get involved at the wrong time. If a crime where committed there I bet no one would get involved and they would be saying they didn’t know anything or see anything, but because a man wants to put up a privacy fence they all have there noses in it. Just how is it hurting them? Is it obstructing there veiw from the mountain range or is it that they can’t see into Mr. Christiansens home. Oh and he has a building next to him that has apartments for rent, yeah I would want a nice privacy fence too. My husband and I agree. Leave the man alone.
I expected to see a horrible looking structure, based upon the story. But the wall looks great. Frankly, its the OTHER houses around the area that look shabby.
Oh, and the selective enforcement by the city is both unfair and typical of our little cow-town.
Leave them be!
The wall is beautiful, and I have no heartburn with it as long as, I as a taxpayer, don’t have to pay to maintain it or repair it if the city should desire to work on their alley, or the power pole that the wall was built up to. There is a good possibility that sometime in the future the city will have to perform some work on that pole, and they will probably damage the wall in the course of that work. As long as Mr. Christiansen understands that the damage will be a result of where he placed the wall, and that he has no right to seek damages if something were to happen to it, I have no problem with it.
The City seems to be able to create variances at the drop of a hat when it feels like it. Not just regarding walls like this, but other issues such as bluegrass requirements for new structures. The right hand doesn’t know what the left hand is doing. On the one hand, they promote xeriscaping, and on the other hand, building permits are held up because water-thirsty landscaping isn’t a part of the plan. In this case, the architect went through proper channels to build the wall, and now $200,000 later, the City has an issue. What really is the problem here? I think our city employees might be feeling a little too big for their britches. And the neighbors need to get a life.
The wall looks great but… “Christiansen, an architect” should have known better than to construct a wall without approval. He should probably be made to tear it down for being STUPID.
they pick on him because they do not like him. they are called nazi’s.
I like the wall. I think about what it would be like to live right on the corner of Cascade and Uintah, lots of noise pollution! I can’t blame Christiansen for constructing this wall to lower the noise he has to live with 24/7 from the traffic.
It is aesthetically pleasing to the eye, and was constructed with traditional materials. From a realtor’s standpoint it does not distract from the historical neighborhood. I do believe that this section of the city must be scrutinized because of the historical value of the homes, but let’s have some common sense. I could see these homes not selling well because of the traffic noise. When a buyer is purchasing a home for $800,000+ noise pollution and traffic become big issues. Christiansen has the right to mitigate that devaluing issue. I hope the judge makes the common sense decision for all concerned.
I lived in the carriage House in the back of their property in the late 90s and was in town this weekend and went by there. There is a frank eyesore next to their immaculate property. Without respect to the particulars of city codes and approval processes, I feel for the ChrIstiansens whose home would seem to deserve some privacy and relief from historic planners who have no teeth in setting minimum standards for this neighborhood and who allow eyesores to be immediately next to such a fine home.