don't know if its any help, but i've seen people alternate
the wood slats between the front and the back. i'm guessing
if they're about 5" wide, and overlap an inch or two on both
sides of each slat, it'd be hard to get a good view through.

alternately, put the wood in the frame (instead of attached to the
front) at angles.. say.. 20deg? ... like venician blinds. point the
'diagonal' towards another gate, off the property, at bushes, anything
but the house.. anyone peering through might only see a dog's snout
or two.

i'd double check and see what loads the poweropener can handle.
there are 'screw types' instead of piston and/or wormgear models
that won't load the opener (just put the screw in tension).

or maybe a solenoid of some kind? lock the gate in place when
its closed.

2c,
-tony

"jim" wrote in message ...
Jon Ward wrote:

Gentlemen:

I'm designing a gate to go across a customer's driveway.