JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers New sound wall on 101 Freeway in city of Westlake Village A wall is much more than a vertical structure. Whether constructed from masonry, plaster, wood or mud, walls can be seen as barriers from the elements or defenders against the unwanted. They can also be seen as symbols of social stratification.

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

The most talked-about wall in Conejo Valley 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.

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

Some residents view the wall as a black mark against a city that prides itself on aesthetics. The council is defending the structure and asking people to withhold judgment until construction is complete and the 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," said Councilmember Mark Rutherford.

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 fully grown within two years, according to city officials.

The wall isn't designed to keep visitors out-officials said the Dole complex will be open to the public-but to provide serenity for hotel patrons and to screen the sound of freeway traffic.

"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.

The city granted a contractor permission to start planting before the landscaping plans were finalized to speed up the 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 also be arriving.

"Each and every council member has no interest in staring at a stark block wall," said Councilmember Jim Bruno. "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.