Planning commissioners reviewed conceptual drawings and early plans for a consolidated mail facility and a larger roundabout near the Woodland Hills/11200 intersection, with the developer 3 Bridges and the county coordinating design and property acquisition.

City staff (Jody) described concept work showing two connected mailbox facilities on property expected to be deeded to the city by developer 3 Bridges to accommodate mailbox access and future growth. The concept sketches include space for two mailbox structures (one using new boxes and the second reusing existing boxes for overflow), covered or partially enclosed designs to limit weather and bird intrusion, parking stalls near the boxes and a circulation plan that would route vehicles from the roundabout into a left-turn waiting lane before entering the mail facility area.

Staff said one idea under discussion is a covered area large enough for a mail truck to drive into; another concept would provide a drive-through mail drop so drivers need not leave their vehicles. Jody said a drive-through drop would likely have to be located on property to be deeded by 3 Bridges so the driver’s-side mailbox placement would work. Commissioners discussed bird-proofing, possible timber-frame and block-wall elements with glass, and how to preserve circulation flow with painted lanes or directional arrows.

County coordination and timeline: Staff said the county is planning a larger replacement roundabout at the same intersection to increase capacity on 11200, and that the county hopes to issue a request for proposals (RFP) for construction in March. Commissioners were told the county is seeking to secure small pieces of property on the four corners of the roundabout (church property, a parcel owned by a Northwest company tied to 3 Bridges, private farmland and the city corner) to allow future widening and turn lanes. The county designs include an extended outside lane to allow traffic from Woodland Hills to access 3 Bridges without entering the roundabout.

Capacity and continuity: Staff said the consolidated mail facility would double current mailbox capacity to accommodate planned residential growth and explained a staged move: new boxes would be installed in the northerly facility and residents would be served there one day, then the old boxes would be moved into the second facility for overflow. The intent is to avoid interruption of mail service during the transition. Staff also said the design group will engage a mail architect and that city staff and a postmaster will meet to confirm U.S. Postal Service requirements.

Why it matters: The mail facility and roundabout are tied to anticipated growth from 3 Bridges and other developers; the county’s acquisition of right-of-way will shape future road capacity and how residents access the mail facility. Securing corner parcels and a March RFP would accelerate the multi-year coordination between city, county and private developers.

Next steps: Staff and a planning-commission liaison will meet with the Salem postmaster and continue soliciting resident input via the city newsletter and email. The commission will keep the topic on future agendas while concepts and property negotiations continue.