Monte Vista neighbors, applicant to negotiate after CTAB pauses decision on unpermitted wall and rock landscaping at 219 West Ellesmere

Monte Vista residents urged the Compliance and Technical Advisory Board on May 23 to enforce historic‑district guidelines after a retaining wall and rock landscaping were installed at 219 West Ellesmere without a certificate of appropriateness; the board voted to continue the case so city staff, the applicant and the Monte Vista Historic Association can seek a compromise.

The hearing followed public comment from three nearby residents and a representative of the Monte Vista Historical AssociationArchitectural Review Committee, who said the limestone wall and large-format river rock proposed for the front yard did not align with the district's design guidelines and that approval after the fact would signal the rules were optional. Staff presented the application and recommended approval of the work as consistent with the City's adopted design guidelines, noting the proposal retained roughly half the front yard in vegetation and…