Ornamental Mailboxes on Treelawns Could Cost Avon Lake $1 Million

“Monumental” mailboxes and other items on Lake Road’s treelawns could cost the city $800,000 to $1 million in funding if they are not cleared out by 2013, when the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is expected to review the roadway for future Lake Road (SR 2) projects. 

Avon Lake Councilman Martin O’Donnell said those funds could be threatened and the city is considering legislation that bans the building of future ornamental mailboxes, including permanent brick mailboxes, before determining if any action should be taken regarding already-built brick and stone mailboxes.

 “The last time we got a letter in 2003 saying everything needed to be cleared 12 feet (from the road),” O’Donnell said. “That included rocks, fences and (non-standard) mailboxes. They consider it a danger. They said if it’s not cleared they might not fund the project.”

The 2003 warning letter specified 43 properties on the state route that had items in the 12-foot "clear zone."  The clear zone is the unobstructed area along a roadway available for the safe recovery of vehicles that have left the roadway.

In early 2003, the city was asked to confirm the issue would be addressed before ODOT approved funding. In November 2003, then-city engineer Wade Mertz, signed a form saying that objects would be removed. The paving project moved forward.

Mertz retired in 2005, but by then only one property had complied. Now Joe Reitz, who replaced Mertz as , is worried that when ODOT returns for a 10-year review of Lake Road and SR 83 (Avon Belden Road) in 2012-13, it will deny future funding. 

“I know for sure there are additional mailboxes now,” Reitz said.

A drive along Lake Road in Avon Lake counted 37 brick or concrete ornamental mailboxes and dozens more of metal, brick and wood fences and large decorative rocks and boulders. Many are in front of homes built within the last several years sitting just feet away from Lake Road.

Future Lake Road repaving and projects could cost between $1.2 million -$1.5 million with the state of Ohio paying for 80 percent of the project. The state could deny more than $800,000 in funding for those projects if a clear zone isn't ensured.

Reitz and O’Donnell both said ODOT’s concern was a safety issue.

“If your car runs into one of those items there’s not a lot of time to correct,” Reitz said.

In the past, concerns have been raised about motorcyclists also hitting the mailboxes and rocks that are just off the roadway. 

The issue was discussed at the March Public Service Committee meeting. Reitz  said legislation is being drafted to define what an acceptable mailbox is and prohibiting future non-compliant mailboxes from being installed.

“Most likely that will be a 4 by 4 wood post or 2-inch steel pipe mailbox,” Reitz said. “That’s what’s recognized by the United States Postal Service.”

No legislation has been proposed yet for existing mailboxes that do not meet code, but it will be discussed at the April 23 Public Service Committee meeting.

Reitz is hoping to give homeowners enough lead time to address the issue before 2012 if the city opts for additional action on existing structures.