Miami Springs residents had a lot to say to FPL at Monday’s City Council Meeting. The main issue was FPL’s demand to put the “Ugly Green Boxes” (aka the ground transformers) in the front yards of homes instead of in the alley. Let’s be clear. Everyone was in favor of FPL’s efforts to move power lines underground, but residents are not happy with the “Ugly Green Boxes” in the front yard…especially when, unlike other municipalities, we have a big beautiful alleyway.
Why don’t residents want the “Ugly Green Boxes” in the front yard?
- They look horrible.
- One resident described it as a Commercial Box in our residential neighborhood.
- The boxes have bright labeling on them that make them unappealing.
- They don’t match the aesthetic of “Beautiful Miami Springs.”
- You can’t hide the boxes with foliage.
- Homeowners are giving up about 100 square feet of usable property to FPL.
- It limits the homeowners ability to use their own property.
- It adds a liability to the homeowner should they hit the box with a vehicle or other equipment on their own property.
- Unlike other cities, Miami Springs has a great alleyway system. As such, Residents would prefer these transformers in the alley.
- Other homes have the “Ugly Green Boxes” in the alley? Why do some get it, but others don’t?
- Your home becomes less desirable for resale. A home with an “Ugly Green Box” in the front is less desirable than a home without an “Ugly Green Box.”
NOTE: You DO NOT have to give up your property rights!
Why else were residents upset?
- Residents who spoke out at Monday’s meeting explained that they felt they were misled by the FPL subcontractor.
- Councilman Jorge Santin declared that many residents had received misinformation by the FPL subcontractor.
- Residents claimed the subcontractor told residents you either agree to the transformer or you’ll get a concrete pole in your front yard. (This is false.)
- Some residents wanted to withdraw their agreement with FPL, which FPL reluctantly agreed to withdraw the agreements if residents alerted them right away.
Residents overwhelmingly prefer to install the “Ugly Green Boxes” aka ground transformers in the backyard alleyway.
Why does it have to be on our property? Why can’t it be placed on the public swale?
- According to FPL, they never install transformers on public rights of ways including swales.
- They claimed that if future projects including road widening, draining, etcetera were to happen, FPL would be forced to move all the transformers. The swale as an option was a non-starter for FPL.
- Mayor Fajet presented an option to basically guarantee FPL a permanent use of the swale, and FPL declined it as unacceptable.
Why does FPL want to install in the front yard instead of the alleyway?
- According to FPL, they prefer to install in the front yard for a couple of reasons:
- Front yards tend to be more accessible than alleyways after a hurricane or strong storm.
- They have more space to bring in and use equipment in the front yard versus a backyard.
- Faster restoration.
- FPL initially installed in some alleyways, and then FPL corporate dictated to the local team to push the “Ugly Green Boxes” to the front yard.
- (Opinion: It sounds like FPL is saying it’s cheaper to install the green boxes in the front yards than in the alleyways.)
Will FPL consider installing the “Ugly Green Boxes” in the alley?…