Westlake defends 'Great Wall' of Dole

THICK AS A BRICK-Workers apply landscaping to a portion of the Dole wall that fronts Via Colinas in Westlake Village. The 16foot wall has raised eyebrows in the community, but city officials said when the landscaping is complete, the overall look will be pleasant. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers A wall is much more than a vertical structure. Whether constructed from masonry, plaster, wood or mud, walls can be seen as guardians from the elements or defenders against the unwanted. They are also symbols of social stratification.

Whatever their purpose, one thing is certain about walls: people who are on the outside feel different from those on the inside.

The most talked about wall in town is the new structure surrounding the Dole hotel and spa currently under construction in Westlake Village. The Westlake City Council has received numerous complaints about the size of the wall and its appearance in the community.

The wall is 16 feet high, but sitting on an elevated site above Lindero Canyon Road it appears bigger, critics say.

Some residents view the wall as a black mark against a city that prides itself on aesthetics. The city council is defending the structure and asking people to withhold judgment until construction is complete and the surrounding landscaping has been installed.

"The condition the wall is currently in will be nowhere close to the condition it is in when it is finished, let alone fully matured," Councilmember Mark Rutherford said.

Landscaping plans include the planting of shrubs, large trees and vines to help enhance the wall's appearance.

"Fifty-foot trees will be placed in front of the wall, along with bushes that will grow to be taller than 20 feet," Rutherford said.

The landscaping should be mostly grown within two years, city officials said.

The wall isn't designed to keep visitors out-officials said the Dole complex will be open to the public-but to provide a serene environment for the hotel patrons and to keep the freeway noise out.

"There was always the intent to have the wall," Rutherford said. "Any owner wouldn't be able to place a hotel next to the freeway without a sound wall."

The public is invited to view the final landscaping plans once they're approved by the council.

"A series of photos displaying the timeline of growth will be published after the plans are approved," said Councilmember Philippa Klessig.

A contractor was granted permission by the city to begin planting before the landscaping plans were finalized in order to speed up the maturation process.

Dole reportedly is waiting for the delivery of more than 100 redwood trees that will grow 50 feet or taller. A number of shrubs and other plants will be arriving as well.

"Each and every councilmember has no interest in staring at a stark block wall," Councilmember Jim Bruno said. "We have a lot of stake in that wall too, and we're going to give the public the assurance that we want to make it disappear with landscaping."

City Manager Ray Taylor said the wall landscaping plan is expected to be presented to the city council within the next 30 days.

Residents should know that in the meantime, the wall's large, bland presence is far from permanent, city officials said.