Buffer could change view for Haven residents

GREENBROOK — Art and Carol Brzostowskis’ neighbors have views of retention ponds and a large berm cascading with trees and other plant materials. But the Brzostowskis see hundreds of cars buzz by on State Road 70 every day.

Since they purchased their home in The Haven section of Greenbrook a decade ago, the condition of the berm behind their home has deteriorated. The berm drops off just a few hundred yards too far west, leaving a hole where the earth slopes downward and plants have died off over time. Carol Brzostowski has stood on S.R. 70 and peered toward her home’s backyard pool area.

“From that opening, I can see my front door,” she said.

But a solution is on its way.

Lakewood Ranch Community Development District 4 supervisors have agreed to shift budget dollars for landscape improvements along Lorraine Road to increase landscaping along S.R. 70 to help re-create a shield of privacy for the Brzostowskis and their neighbors.

“Because of the additional noise from construction on S.R. 70 and there were some areas of the berm that could use some more filler, we decided it’s more urgent than doing what we were going to do on Lorraine this year,” CDD 4 Supervisor Nancy Johnson said. “We’re doing as much as possible to fill in the berm. It was a more pressing issue.”

Although the district will not increase the height of the berm itself, it will spend about $15,000 on plant material for the entire berm along Greenbrook West, including a segment immediately east of the existing berm for Greenbrook West, in front of the Brzostowskis’ home. The money was previously slated to replace and enhance berm plantings along Lorraine Road, a project that is part of the district’s master landscape beautification plan (see sidebar).

“It’s great; I appreciate the help, if it’s done right,” Art Brzostowski said. “Anything is a plus. If they thicken the bushes, it’ll help quite a bit.”

Although the solution won’t impact the noise, which the Brzostowskis say has increased since S.R. 70 became a six-lane highway, it will, over time, have the visual impact the couple seeks, Lakewood Ranch’s Operations’ Director Ryan Heise said.
His department installed additional plants in the area about two years ago and also added more plants about two months ago in response to residents’ concerns.

Heise said the additional vegetation to be planted will take a few years to fully mature, but the district will use larger plants than it typically uses to help offset the time for growth.

“It will add or re-create the visual screening that once existed and it will help with the line of sight out of S.R. 70,” Heise said. “It will have an instant impact.”

Heise said he expects plants will be installed within two months.

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].