July 21, 2016

that there was a smaller retaining wall along a property on Florence Avenue. Ms. Weiss asked Ms. Butler if she felt that the 4’ fence placed on top of the retaining wall will be unappealing; she replied yes. Ms. Gabry stated that if the applicant does not put a retaining wall along the back of his property there will be erosion. Ms. Butler said that the applicant testified to bringing in dirt and raising the grade of the slope. She said the prior owner only had grass in the rear yard and there was never erosion. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Ms. Butler how high the bushes are along the proposed wall; she said three (3) feet. Mr. Schwarzbaum said that if trees were planted in that area it could hide the wall. Ms. Butler said that it is not only about aesthetics. Mr. Schwarzbaum asked Mr. Grygiel if arborvitae trees were planted there would it cover the wall; he said yes. Mr. Grygiel said that arborvitae is the typical tree used for a buffer. Chairman Neuer advised Mr. Schwarzbaum that if he wanted to suggest that as a condition, the trees would have to be planted on the neighbor’s property and they would have to agree to that. There were no further comments from the public and Chairman Neuer closed the public hearing. Chairman Neuer asked for a motion. Vice Chairman Buechler made a motion to approve the application with the following conditions: 1. Applicant must submit a copy of an executed easement for the retaining wall to be 8