On Tue, 20 Jul 2004 03:19:04 GMT, someone wrote:

.... a deck
that tall requires a permit and an engineering drawing, since a collapse
could actually kill people

??? Has the sky fallen yet today, the wall is only 4 feet high,
doesn't seem like a big deal, and the span would only be 8 feet.

I would NOT support the wall on piers behind the wall, because that
soil in turn relies on the wall for support. If you are not confident
in your wall, then you should not rely on posts set in the soil held
up by the wall.

I vote for the wall itself. Next for the soil in front of the wall,
but that requires posts at least as high as the wall so what's the
advantage.

-v.