SIDE STREETS: Sierra Pointe resolves its problems in a ‘nice way'
Life seems to be settling down at Sierra Pointe Condominiums after the combative president of the homeowners association board resigned and the board parted ways with its property manager, who had called some owners "toothless trailer trash."
In another update, the issue of overnight parking on the streets in Stetson Hills' Ridgeview neighborhood has been settled by a vote of residents.
And, finally, the saga of the Great Wall of Cascade Avenue has escalated with a lawsuit filed against the city in which Holger and Sally Christiansen allege the city's effort to enforce building codes has put a "severe strain" on their marriage.
First, Sierra Pointe, a 282-unit complex near Austin Bluffs Parkway and Academy Boulevard where it has been common for residents, the HOA board and its property manager to engage in nasty name-calling, physical confrontations and profane temper tantrums.
Open warfare at board meetings erupted last spring after a new board took over, led by president Randy Pech, who had promised to restore order and repair complex roofs, fences, retaining walls and parking lots.
Many residents appreciated the physical improvements but objected to what they called his iron-fist approach, such as ordering a chalk mural of butterflies and flowers power-washed off a wall over objections of the few residents who overlooked it.
Others complained that Pech didn't live in Sierra Pointe - he owned a unit as an investment property. The complaints grew when he sold his unit but remained on the board.
Even worse, some residents complained, was the behavior of property manager Robert Bleck, who was hit with a restraining order after a physical confrontation with a resident.
Financial irregularities uncovered by an audit led to louder complaints. Then Bleck was quoted in an August Side Streets describing his critics as "toothless trailer trash" and "punks" who were mad because he wouldn't have sex with them.
"After your article was published, the board and the community finally had enough," said Sierra Pointe resident Debbie Schermerhorn. "The community kind of woke up. Now, we have a new president who actually listens to us and is very kind. It has been resolved in a very nice way."
On to Ridgeview at Stetson Hills, where some residents became upset after the HOA board hired security to patrol and ticket cars parked on the streets overnight.
To settle the issue, the board asked its 3,200 homeowners to vote whether neighborhood covenants should allow overnight parking on the street.
Kevin Curry, HOA board president, said the rules required 2,100 votes to change the covenants.
"We did everything we could to encourage voting," Curry said. "We sent the ballot to every one of our owners and allowed them to vote by mail if they couldn't attend the meeting."
Despite the effort, just 562 owners bothered to vote: 326 opted to change the rule while 236 voted to keep the overnight parking ban.
"As a result, the restrictions will stay in place and the board will be obligated to continue enforcing them," Curry said.
Finally, readers may recall that Colorado Springs sued the Christiansens in August over the $200,000 brick wall they built around their Old North End Mansion on Cascade Avenue.
On Oct. 20, the couple counter-sued, seeking damages in excess of $100,000 for costs and "severe emotional distress which has put a severe strain on their marriage."
Sounds like a really expensive wall.
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Tell me about your neighborhood: 636-0193 or bill.vogrin@gazette.com
