April 26, 2002

Mr. James P. Ward, Department Director
Pelican Bay Services Division

801 Laurel Oak Drive Suite 605
Naples, FL 34108

RE: Route 41 Berm

Dear Mr. Ward:

This is the first in a series of four letters I am writing you so that you can be kept up to date on what the Board of the PB Property Owners has been working on and thinking about. These letters are primarily for your information. As you know the PB Property Owners represent over 3000 families in Pelican Bay.

The Route 41 Berm Committee is primarily John Iaizzo and Ted Raia. Both of these individuals live in high rises along the Gulf. That indicates there is an interest in the problem other than the homeowners who would be directly affected.

The MSTBU Board was most graious in allowing more time to the PB Property Owners to complete a study and make recommendations to the MSTBU Board.

The PB Property Owners are particularly interested in trying to alleviate the traffic noise from Route 41. The safety issue is also important to prevent the casual incursion of strangers into Pelican Bay over the berm. We realize you have an on going project to plant the berm and install an irrigation system. We are not concerned about the planting since the plants can be moved at modest cost. However, we are concerned about the irrigation system which can be a substantial expense to install and remove if the location is not suitable for dictated changes in the planting and berm height.

We are sure you read the recent issues of the Naples Daily News which indicates that planning is commencing for making Route 41 into an eight or ten lane highway. We should be looking ahead to all the problems such a move would make for Pelican Bay. Any such widening proposal will be fought by the PB Property Owners.

Page Two - April 26, 2002 - Mr. James P. Ward

After the carefully review of the MSTBU proposal and the proposals of three contractors who submitted bids, the PB Property Owners have concluded that the best, and most economical course, is to run a test of about 1,000 feet along the berm at the nosiest section. The total berm is about 19,000 feet. The test will involve raising the berm to about ten feet where necessary and making a heavy planting along the ridge of the berm. Such raising of the berm and the planting can be incorporated into your present plan. It is expected that this 1000 foot test will take a number of years before the full ramifications can be determined.

The PB Property Owners was led to this conclusion because of two factors. The first factor was the difficulty in making a determination of the best course and the second was the success of the Hyde Park Condo Association in utilizing fircus plants to alleviate the sounds from Pelican Bay Blvd. and Gulf Park. You should bear in mind that the tests and reports made by many highway and similar groups over the years have indicated that, although noise is a serve problem, it can be reduced or eliminated in perception by the concept of not being able to see the highway and conscious of movement.

The PB Property Owners Board met with three landscapers who had considered the problem of Rout 41 and made recommendations to reduce the problem for the adjacent home owners. Copies of each of theses initial reports are enclosed for your perusal. The most costly suggestion included the installation of a rock wall to allow building up the height of the berm. We were told that if a fence was utilized on the top of the berm it had to meet stringent wind resistant tests so that has to be taken into consideration. This does not make a fence impossible but another problem to be considered.

After the Board questioned each of the submitters it was decided that the best course was to select a 1000 foot section as a test.

Your consideration of these comments is very much appreciated.

Yours truly,

Richard T. Laughlin,

President