Man Loses Fight to Keep Trellis

Leif Christensen, whose love of plants at his South Street home sprouted objections from his neighbors, lost his appeal to the City Council to keep a wooden trellis extending from his garage.

The City Council recently turned down his plea to keep the 122-square-foot trellis, built over a portion of his driveway to hold weighty, flowering vines.

Neighbors raised concerns that the trellis is an eyesore and the overgrown plants and shrubs invite rodents and cause fire and safety hazards.

Christensen can leave a portion of the trellis extending only three feet from the garage eaves, city planners said. The code enforcement division will also work with Christensen to trim the overgrown vegetation on his property to eliminate the violations.