From: 	Susan Kaplan <birmanmom@gmail.com>
To:	Jeremy Benn <jeremy@joeflynnrealestate.com>
CC:	Seth Page <sxp@earthlink.net>, Elliot Vrana <elliot.vrana@gmail.com>, Erin Foley <efoley19@aol.com>, Bruce Baker <brucewbaker.me@gmail.com>, Catherine Morrison <cmorrison@createagreement.com>, David Marsden <davidm@homesinmaine.com>, Jean Fraser <JF@portlandmaine.gov>, Erika Johnson <ejjohnson83@gmail.com>, Bill Mitchell <Bill@ghmagency.com>
Date: 	9/24/2013 6:01 PM
Subject: 	Re: 133 York Street/Harborview Flats

Much appreciated Jeremy - I am glad the illustration was helpful in
clarifying our concerns.  I copied Jean Fraser, City Planner on our
correspondence as our concerns are consistent with those raised on page 9
of her September 6, 2013 memorandum.  In one of the Staff Comments,
headlights, screening, and solid fencing are discussed and the City
Arborist's recommendations are referenced for further consideration.

Our Association is having discussions regarding trees being planted on our
property (whose maintenance will become a Harborview Flats expense) with
arguments pro and con being presented.  We are eager to hear additional
ideas beyond your proposal to plant trees on our side of the fence.  Any
further ideas you are entertaining (solid fencing, trees on your property,
etc.) would be of interest to us.

Finally, we are eager hear / see the details of the updated façade.

Thanks again for your time and patience as we come to an agreeable plan,
Jeremy!

Susan Kaplan
207.232.1180

On Mon, Sep 23, 2013 at 12:58 PM, Jeremy Benn <jeremy@joeflynnrealestate.com
> wrote:

> Hi Susan,****
>
> ** **
>
> I see your concerns about the headlights as illustrated by the red
> arrows.  I have asked the engineer to update the site plan to show a “green
> wall” to continue all the way across the fence.  I will keep you updated on
> the façade.****
>
> ** **
>
> Thank you,****
>
> ** **
>
> Jeremy Benn****
>
> 133 York, LLC****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> *From:* Susan Kaplan [mailto:birmanmom@gmail.com]
> *Sent:* Thursday, September 19, 2013 11:12 AM
> *To:* Jeremy Benn
> *Cc:* Seth Page; Elliot Vrana; Erin Foley; Bruce Baker; Catherine
> Morrison; David Marsden; Jean Fraser; Erika Johnson; Bill Mitchell
>
> *Subject:* Re: 133 York Street/Harborview Flats****
>
> ** **
>
> I appreciate the clarification, Jeremy.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> Below is an updated image with the green wall highlighted in yellow.  The
> areas noted in blue (below) are our primary concern; hence the placement
> of the green wall is puzzling to me.  Perhaps our concerns were not clearly
> stated.****
>
> ** **
>
> [image: Inline image 2]****
>
> ** **
>
> ** **
>
> As the plan sits, the headlights from cars that are backed into your
> parking area will shine directly into the first floor condos (in blue) at
> the Flats.  This unscreened area is noted with the red arrows above.  The
> green wall and trees (as they are currently proposed) will not adequately
> address our concerns.  ****
>
> ** **
>
> The abutters will be meeting to discuss our privacy and screening concerns
> further.  In the meantime, we are very eager to hear your ideas for
> addressing this issue.   We are also eager to see the changes to the
> exterior, as this was another primary concern.****
>
> ** **
>
> Thanks again for reaching out to us so we can work together on a mutually
> agreeable plan.****
>
>
> ****
>
> Susan Kaplan****
>
> 207.232.1180****
>
> ** **
>
> On Wed, Sep 18, 2013 at 5:13 PM, Jeremy Benn <
> jeremy@joeflynnrealestate.com> wrote:****
>
> Hi Susan,****
>
>  ****
>
> 1)      The green wall goes beyond what you have highlighted, it is
> represented by the dashed line.  It goes to about where the front door is
> located and further down the driveway.****
>
> 2)      The additional provision is in fact the two trees on the plan –
> this was suggested by the city arborist.  We have added the trees and green
> wall to help with the privacy concerns.****
>
> 3)      The extra privacy for the town homes is provided with the
> additional 12 trees and shrubs as detailed on the plan.****
>
>  ****
>
> Thank you,****
>
>  ****
>
> Jeremy****
>
>  ****
>
> Jeremy Benn****
>
> 133 York, LLC****
>
> 807-9218****
>
>  ****
>
>  ****
>
> *From:* Susan Kaplan [mailto:birmanmom@gmail.com]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 18, 2013 4:59 PM****
>
>
> *To:* Jeremy Benn
> *Cc:* Seth Page; Elliot Vrana; Erin Foley; Bruce Baker; Catherine
> Morrison; David Marsden; JF@portlandmaine.gov; Erika Johnson
> *Subject:* Re: 133 York Street/Harborview Flats****
>
>  ****
>
> Hello Jeremy,****
>
>  ****
>
> Thank you for the site plan.  I want to be sure I have read the plan
> correctly.  ****
>
>  ****
>
> 1) In your present design, is the green wall only planned for the section
> that is highlighted  in yellow in the image below (the corner area)?  ****
>
> 2) If YES, what provisions (beyond the trees you cited) have you made for
> affording the Flats screening and privacy from the parking area?****
>
>  ****
>
> [image: Inline image 1]****
>
>  ****
>
> 3) And finally, do you have any plans for providing privacy or screening
> to the adjacent Townhomes building?*​*****
>
>
> ****
>
> ​​****
>
> ​Much thanks Jeremy,​****
>
>  ****
>
>  ****
>
> Susan****
>
>  ****
>
> ​****
>
> Susan Kaplan****
>
> 207.232.1180****
>
>  ****
>
> On Wed, Sep 18, 2013 at 4:43 PM, Jeremy Benn <
> jeremy@joeflynnrealestate.com> wrote:****
>
> Hi Susan,****
>
>  ****
>
> I attached an updated site plan that illustrates the proposed trees and
> “green wall” addressing the planning board and abutters concerns.   The
> plan identifies the location, species, and size of the plantings.  I spoke
> with the architect this afternoon, he is working on the façade design.  I
> will forward you the “re-worked” design as soon as it is available. ****
>
>  ****
>
> Sincerely,****
>
>  ****
>
> Jeremy Benn****
>
> 133 York, LLC****
>
> 807-9218****
>
>  ****
>
> *From:* Susan Kaplan [mailto:birmanmom@gmail.com]
> *Sent:* Wednesday, September 18, 2013 12:22 PM
> *To:* Jeremy Benn
> *Cc:* Seth Page; Elliot Vrana; Erin Foley; Bruce Baker; Catherine
> Morrison; David Marsden; JF@portlandmaine.gov; Erika Johnson****
>
>
> *Subject:* Re: 133 York Street/Harborview Flats****
>
>  ****
>
> Hello Jeremy,****
>
>  ****
>
> Thanks so much for contacting me about your 133 York St project.  I
> believe we met at the second public meeting.  ****
>
>  ****
>
> The suggestions in your email sound like you are moving in the right
> direction.   When you say, “the corner of the fence in your backyard”, can
> you give me a better sense of what area would / would not be screened by
> the green wall?   As the plan sits, the headlights from cars that are
> backed into your parking area will shine directly into the first floor
> condos at the Flats.  I would be very interested in additional details as
> to the placement and length of the green wall.****
>
>  ****
>
> ​​****
>
> Do you have any plans for providing privacy or screening to the adjacent
> Townhomes building (the modern building next to your property)? There has
> been discussion about planting one or more small trees, but this will not
> afford the privacy that the present tree provides (which apparently cannot
> be saved with your current design).  I will be interested in hearing your
> plans for that side of the property and will pass along your ideas to the
> Townhomes residents.****
>
>  ****
>
> As for the tree planting on our property, this sounds like a positive
> step.  I will forward your suggestions to our residents for comment.****
>
>  ****
>
> In addition to the items above, the façade was also a concern to both the
> abutters and the planning board.  Can you let us know if the exterior
> design has been modified?  If so, we would be eager to hear / see the
> details of these changes.****
>
>  ****
>
> Thanks again, and I look forward to your reply.****
>
>  ****
>
>
> ****
>
> Susan Kaplan****
>
> 207.232.1180****
>
>  ****
>
> On Wed, Sep 18, 2013 at 12:00 PM, Jeremy Benn <
> jeremy@joeflynnrealestate.com> wrote:****
>
> Hi Susan,****
>
>  ****
>
> I am not sure if we have met or not, my name is Jeremy Benn.   I am one of
> the owners of the property, 133 York, being developed behind Harborview
> Flats.  I spoke with David Marsden and he suggested that I contact you to
> discuss ways that we could help the owners of Harborview Flats be more
> agreeable to our plan.  We understand that some of the residents are
> concerned about privacy.  We have made some changes to the site plan that
> include a “green screen” that is in two twenty foot lengths on the corner
> of the fence in your  backyard.  The City Arborist also suggested that we
> plant two Armstrong Red Maple trees on Harborview Flats property to add
> privacy.   We would like to have a landscaper submit an estimate to plant
> the trees on your property and give your association a check to pay for the
> installation.   The green screen and two additional trees will provide
> extra privacy that was not on our original plan.   We realize that the
> owners may not be excited about the project going on behind them but we
> would like to make it as affable as possible.  Do you have any suggestions?
> ****
>
>  ****
>
> Do you think that the residents would be agreeable to us planting trees in
> your backyard?  ****
>
>  ****
>
>  ****
>
> Sincerely,****
>
>  ****
>
> Jeremy Benn****
>
> 133 York, LLC****
>
> 807-9218****
>
>  ****
>
>  ****
>
> ** **
>