What is happening to Manitou Springs?
I know it has nice new sidewalks, curbs and gutters.
And rubber tomahawks are giving way to shops devoted to olive oil.
And beautiful lofts and townhomes are replacing creekside shacks.
But you can’t run a chain saw along Manitou Avenue anytime you want anymore?
Say it ain’t so!
Bill Fee, owner of the Nature of Things Chainsaw Art gallery, said neighbors are trying to ruin his business by making him muffle his saws.
But it is so, says Bill Fee. He says Hippy Mayberry, home to fruitcake-tossing, coffin-racing, drum-beating, live-and-let live folks is no longer welcoming his art.
He faces a Feb. 28 deadline to meet strict noise guidelines or he risks losing the business license for his Nature of Things Chainsaw Art gallery.
The Nature of Things Chainsaw Art gallery on Manitou Avenue in Manitou Springs.
Here’s a look at Fee in his shop.
Bill Fee uses a propane torch to add color to a carving of a bison in his Nature of Things Chainsaw Art gallery as his shop cat, Taboo, wanders along.
Fee said one neighbors is responsible for the attack on his business. He said Thomas Lundgren is rallying other neighbors to complain to City Hall.
Lundgren doesn’t deny it. He’s outraged Fee has been allowed to create an “open-air manufacturing process” on the site. He notes Fee has several apprentice carvers who keep saws running daily.
He describes it as “heavy industry” not art. It’s loud, dirty and not compatible with the commercial zone where it exists or near homes like his, which is about 500 feet away, Lundgren said.
Visible beyond the Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce, through the trees, is the home of Thomas Lundgren, who organized neighbors to demand City Hall enforce noise and nuisance laws against Bill Fee and his Nature of Things Chainsaw Art gallery. Neighbors say Fee often ran chainsaws seven days a week, well into the evenings, and made the peaceful enjoyment of their homes impossible.
Here’s a letter Lundgren wrote explaining his position.
Fee said he’s complied with every request of neighbors and the city to reduce his noise. He 0nly saws 10-5, Monday through Friday. No more weekends or holidays.
He has moved his sawing operation to the side of his building, behind a wall and huge bales of hay and underneath a tent he constructed to muffle the noise.
Bill Fee explains all the steps he's taken to muffle the noise of his chain saws to appease neighbors upset about the buzzing and whining.
Bill Fee has erected a tent beside his building, built walls, stacked bales of hay and used foam to muffle the noise of his chain saw carving.
Several neighbors I spoke to say they are happy with the changes Fee has made. La Rita Mason and Lucy Mills, among others, said they don’t want his business jeopardized. As long as he sticks with the Monday through Friday, 10-5 schedule, they are satisfied.
Other neighbors, including Ken Healey and Janice Montoya at the Briarhurst Manor, praise Fee for everything he’s done to accomodate their business. For years, Fee has shut down his saws when they are having weddings or other events. All it took was a phone call, Montoya said, to quiet the saws so guests could enjoy a romantic dinner on the patio.
Dan Folke, city planner, said he has no choice but enforce noise standards in the face of neighbor complaints.
Fee said he has to carve — put on a show — to attract customers. And he can’t do his job with small, electric-powered saws. They just don’t cut it.
Here’s a video of Fee’s gallery and here’s another video of him in action.
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Let the man have his chainsaws, shit! People are such pre-madonna’s these days. Awe, is it too loud for you!?! He isn’t even that close to residential areas. GO TEAM BILL!
If Mr. Lundgren were truly interested in the peaceful enjoyment of his residence to the degree he states, he would have opted to live outside city limits…in my opinion. How is it someone with such sensitivity to noise can live near a busy highway/roadway/city…let alone the mountain community that is Manitou Springs. I believe that the operational hours more than suffice…but really tourist season should afford Mr. Fee the ability to produce his art on the weekends where those interested in watching the artist can do so. Mr. Lundgren’s ramblings are frightening to me…if I were a business owner in that area I would be alarmed that Mr. Lundgren, or someone just like him, might decide to target a light they deem too bright or a building color oddly found offensive…worse yet that the city of Manitou Springs might allow one individual, who has chosen to reside where he does and has done so for as long as Nature of Things has been present, to all of the sudden wreak such havoc. If Nature of Things Chainsaw Art cannot conduct its’ business, create its’ art, continue to thrive in the community it has been a part of for 16 years it will be the fault of all of us that allowed someone like the Lundgren’s to make false statements, accusations and insults at the expense of someone’s hard work, creativity and place in the community. This is art…it can be found worldwide…it is not manufacturing. My question is how is it that the concerns regarding any noise did not become an issue until the mid-2000′s, the art has been being made with dedication for many years prior. I appreciate art in all it’s forms…the process of the artist has value in our world today. I know Mr. Bill Fee personally…he is a friend. He has a passion for the art he creates along with the very undeniable truth of his comittment to our world…he is active in more charitable activities in one month than most are all their lives…he gives back with no reservations. Be careful Manitou Springs…know that the most basic rights are subject to someone who can make false statements and insinuate themselves into your ability to do business. I am a homeowner…I live where I do for reasons that are of value to me. We all make those sorts of decisions…but to lie and be deceptive at the expense of another and their livlihood is more than wrong…it is illegal. I am part of a local business that is noisy, it is in a residential community…we operate within the business hours allowed…including Saturdays…it is very frightening to think that someone with lies could potentially put us in the kind of position that Mr. Fee is in.
I have taken many of my tourist friends to watch the woodcarving
in Manitou, and they love it, many of them making purchases.
It’s a shame Mr Lundgren feels he has to police the whole neighbor-
hood for his little bit of home frontage. I’ve heard more noise from
the traffic and motorcycles in the tourist that even drown him out.
It’s a shame he cant visit his neighbor and if he has somethng going
on ask him, as the Briarhurst has, to stop the sawing for a while.
That a man should loose his living because of this is a shame. He
has tried his best to comply with his neighbors…Let him make a
living,,or add another person to the unemployment lines and maybe
have his property standing empty,,,and become an eyesore. Let;
bend a little,,,we don’t have to break
Shame on the people wanting to shut down Nature of Things.
I live out of state and Bill’s shop is something that I was attracted to at once while visiting Manitou.. So much in fact that I have purchased 5 of his carvings and will be purchasing more.
It his and other unique shops that bring tourist to Manitou.
Seriously Mr. Lundgren? Most of us would do away with the HOUSES before doing away with an iconic business like this one. Go Bill!
Centuries ago – when our forefathers settled here – there was an interest in promoting our communities. In the town of Manitou Springs it has become well known as a community of local residents, small businesses, sight seeing, Manitou spring water and last but not least artists. That includes Mr. Fee. I have spent endless hours in total amazement at his talent. Did Mr. Lundgren do his homework before he bought his place?? I think not. Mr Fee’s business has been in the same location for years. If Mr. Lundgren doesn’t like it – maybe he should consider relocation, after all he is not nearly as well known, well respected and I would venture to say not nearly as talented as Mr. Fee. i.e. – leave the man to his work and passion. And as far as Mr. Lundgren – get a life and find someway to contribute to society.
In today’s economy, cities like Manitou Springs SURVIVE on independent business owners and artists such as Bill Fee. Hey Manitou – WHO brings revenue into your city? The artists do. These amazing carved bears are a PERFECT example of such talent. His artwork brings people into Manitou. Also, Bill Fee does more charitable work for this community than Mr. Lundgren will ever know. If you had any idea about the thousands of dollars worth of artwork that Mr. Fee donates to local charity events you would be in awe of this amazing man. From what I have seen and read, Mr. Fee has done everything he can to reduce the noise level as much as possible. Mr. Fee is one of the nicest most caring people I have been honored to be associated with and I sure hope the City of Manitou REALIZES – and FAST- what an asset Nature of Things Chainsaw Art is to that city. His art and his God-Given Talents are what MAKES Manitou what it is today. God Bless you Bill Fee for all you do. Closing down his shop WILL equal LOST REVENUE for your city. I tell you what – if you shut him down – I will never spend another dime in your city and I will tell everyone I know to stop shopping there as well. Do the MATH and do what’s best for your city.
Mr. Lundgren, how about its time for you to leave. This honest business man had bent over backwards for the community and you as other self centered jerks have done, think you are special. LEAVE!!
Mr. Lundgren, are you that jealous because you dont have the talent that Bill has? He has accomodated other businesses without issues. I have a sister coming from out of state just to buy from him. He is a people person and very giving. How many people would have carved such a beautiful piece and then donate for a worthy cause. If your concerned about noise, you move to the mountains. Bill is a wonderful and giving man whos passion is his art. With todays economy and towns wanting more revenue, Bill does it, especially during tourist season. In all my years driving through Manitou and spending money, which I enjoy doing, its awesome to see Bill’s work on display. You go Bill, Mr. Lundgren just needs to get a life and move on.
That man is great! Great artist! I think if he build many walls of stacked bales of hay all around and up then he can of course use his chainsaw 24/24 without foam.