Lakefront cities examine shoreline protection

Avon Lake, Sheffield Lake, Vermilion, Lorain discuss improvement districts

Lorain County’s four lakefront communities of Avon Lake, Sheffield Lake, Vermilion and Lorain are evaluating the potential of a shoreline protection special improvement district.

In a Nov. 9 work session, Avon Lake City Council members said the city IS working with Lorain County and neighboring cities on ways to help homeowners tackle erosion control on their properties.

Amanda Gordon, an attorney with McDonald Hopkins, said the creation of a special improvement district in each of the four communities would enable municipalities to pursue financing and improvements for an array of shoreline infrastructure improvement projects.

“It really embodies all of the different types of improvements, repairs, etc. that need to be made to abate erosion along the shoreline,” Gordon said. “And one of the facets of this law, is that it defines these things as public improvements.

“So, that includes everything from the planning, design and construction, etc. and financing.”

In developing a special improvement district, Avon Lake first will define the boundaries of such and need to petition 100 percent of properties in those boundaries, and would be designated as a nonprofit corporation governed by a board of trustees.

Gordon said setting up each special improvement district would come at a cost of between $2,500 and $3,500 to each city.

Once incorporated, the districts would last for a period of 15-20 years based on financing options and projects would be financed through a special assessment revenue bond.

Avon Lake Ward 2 Councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch said Avon Lake will work with neighboring lakefront communities to establish municipal regulations to be followed by a standardized review of the properties within the improvement districts by engineering firms with lowinterest financing available for potential upgrades.

Avon Lake Public Works Director Joe Reitz said there are a number of opportunities in Avon Lake that could be targeted, including West Shore Park, the west end of Miller Road Park along with several outfalls into Lake Erie that need attention.

“Over the years, we’ve had a number of residents contact us and ask if there were any funds available to help them with erosion on their property,” Reitz said. “Well, this is that opportunity that I’ve been sitting here waiting for 32 years to come across.

“And this is a great opportunity.”

In working with neighboring property owners, officials said the potential is a win-win for everyone involved in getting muchneeded shoreline infrastructure upgrades.

Fenderbosch added Avon Lake has met with Lorain County officials over the past few months on the project and are set to meet again in December to work through the process of setting up the special improvement district and the associated regulations.