6/9/1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

BOOK O PACE 80 Commissioner Eggert mentioned other concerns relative to planting oleanders, namely children walking in the parking lot and caterpillars on oleanders. Barbara Mercer made the following presentation on behalf of the Marbrisa Homeowners Association: I'm Barbara Mercer - 570 N. Monterey Dr. - Vero Beach, F132963 I'm here on behalf of the Marbrisa Homeowners Association to request approval for one row of shrubbery to be planted alongside the south fence at the Seagrape Beach Access. We request these plants because of our need to improve the appearance, security and privacy of the Marbrisa. property. The appearance of the Marbrisa property was changed due to the removal of all the Brazilian pepper trees that were intrusive and a constant maintenance problem directly behind the four units facing the beach access. They multiplied and choked out all the nice vegetation and grass beneath them. This unsightly mess was ugly and so thick you couldn't get behind them to remove trash, and debris. In our consideration of plants, we kept in mind the barrier island and felt we should keep it functional yet tropical to obtain a beautiful appearance for the entire community to enjoy. We spent $6,000.00 to remove, clear, plant 13 queen palms, 90 hibiscus and liriope, and replaced the sod. Our decision was also influenced by my conversation with Mr. Romanek who felt that oleanders would not be a problem on the parks side of the fence since we were wanting some height and denseness in a tiered affect. We also added an irrigation pipe which extends water throughout the fence area Mr. Romanek also stated that extra maintenance would not be a problem since he already had a crew that took care of routine maintenance and it would be a lot less maintenance than they had to content with before. In addition to these positive changes this brings me to the second point concerning security and privacy. Being so open, close, and vulnerable to the daily activities in the beach access ,we added extra lighting so it would illuminate the entire area at night and a temporary fence screen for a little privacy. We also got opinions from professional landscapers - Jack Sellnow from Busy Bee Nursery and Ronda Lowe from Rock City Nursery. They both felt there was sufficient room for one row of shrubbery that would act as a deterrent to anyone trying to climb the fence, throw beer bottles, glass, dirty diapers, and other trash over the area. They recommended oleanders as an excellent shrub which needed trimming at the most 3 times a year and would give us the height for privacy. They also recommended three types of viburnum - the oderatissum, suspensum, and awabuki as excellent low maintenance bushes. In conclusion, because of this need to improve the appearance, security and privacy of the Marbrisa property, we respectfully request that the Board of Commissioners grant our request to plant one row of shrubbery along the fence at the Seagrape Access directly behind these four Marbrisa units. We are willing to help with the purchase of these plants and feel this would be a beautiful addition and benefit to the entire community. Mrs. Mercer also had photographic handouts showing the before and after of the fence. (These handouts have been placed with the backup of the meeting in the office of the Clerk to the Board.) June 9, 1998 72