We love the fact the Florida Power and Light (FPL) is continuing to move power lines from above ground to underground throughout Miami Springs. We generally support this effort. Underground power lines are less likely to be damaged during a hurricane or powerful storm. This is good…However….
…Why oh why must residents give up over 100 square feet of front yard and place the ugly green boxes in their front yards? And to be clear, we’re not talking about adding these boxes on your easement (the area between the road and your sidewalk). We’re talking about your front yard.
Some people don’t mind giving up the land. That’s okay. That’s your choice if you want to give up land, it’s a free country. But many residents have reached out to us and they’re not interested in giving land away to FPL.
Residents have flat out told us they don’t want to give up front yard space to FPL. A square box in your front yard could block a future improvement like a new driveway. It might be in the way of the side yard where you may want to park a boat trailer or RV. At the end of the day, these FPL boxes limit the usability of a significant portion of your front yard.
NO TREES / BUSHES
Oh. And you’re not allowed to hide the ugly green box with foliage, trees, bushes, or flowers…NADA. We’ve been told by a former FPL employee that you can’t plant trees within 10 feet of these ugly green boxes. So, even thought it’s your home, you can’t hide the ugly thing.
Why not in the alley?
The question residents have been asking us, is “Why not install the ugly green boxes in the alley?”
We agree. The alley is a great alternative. Residents already have a 4′ x 8′ cutout in their backyard. The transformers can be placed there.
In fact, this idea isn’t novel. We already have some homes in Miami Springs that have the green boxes installed in the alley. See some examples are shown below:
If FPL can do it for some homes, why not for most homes?
Frankly, the green utility boxes look much better tucked away in an alley cutout next to trash cans than in your front yard.
And, with proper fencing, you don’t have to look at the ugly eye sore while in your own backyard.
Obviously, if you don’t have an alleyway because you live on a lake, the golf course, or otherwise don’t have an alley, you may have no alternative, but to place one of these ugly FPL boxes in your front.
However, if you do have an alleyway, don’t you think your home will look better, and by extension, the entire city look better by having these ugly boxes installed in the alley?
UGLY FPL BOXES
These sticker laden boxes are painted green in an attempt to blend with surrounding greenery. But as you can see with your own eyes, these green FPL boxes are covered in sticker lettering and numbers and the obvious warning stickers. They also get stained from natural weathering. See for yourself below.
That’s why we hope FPL will work with the City of Miami Springs to beautify our city by installing these ugly FPL transformers where they belong, in the alleyway and not in our front yards.
The good news is that FPL cannot install these green boxes on your property without your permission. FPL needs your authorization to install the green transformer box on your front yard.
If FPL comes knocking on your door to sign something, don’t sign unless you truly understand the property rights you’re giving up. If you don’t understand it, have an attorney review it, but definitely don’t sign it unless you’re absolutely sure and agree to what they want.
Again, we support and encourage FPL’s efforts to move power lines underground. We’re just suggesting a better, more practical placement of these transformers that optimizes your front yard’s utility and the beauty of your home and our neighborhood.
What are these Green Ugly FPL Boxes?
The ugly green FPL boxes house transformers that transform higher voltage electricity to lower voltage electricity to power your home. You already have a transformer today high atop the FPL power pole. This moves that utility pole from
Miami Springs residents are encouraged to speak at Monday’s Miami Springs City Council Meeting. We understand FPL is listening to the pushback residents are having against placing these transformers in their front yards.
Your Opinion Matters
Miami Springs residents are encouraged to speak at Monday’s Miami Springs City Council Meeting. We understand FPL is listening to the pushback residents are having against placing these transformers in their front yards.
You’re also encouraged to share your thoughts in the comments section below.
MORE COVERAGE:
WPLG Video covering FPL burying power lines in Miami Springs:
