| Easements &
Electrical Facilities
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
BACKGROUND
As a result of two active hurricane seasons, the Florida Public Service
Commission (FPSC) has recognized how customers have been adversely impacted
from storm damaged electrical facilities. While KEYS customers have
been extremely fortunate with post-storm restorations, the FPSC developed
and passed orders requiring utilities to test the integrity of their
electrical infrastructures and to “Storm Harden” their system
for new and replacement facilities.
In addition to hardening the system, KEYS and other local utilities
(BellSouth & Comcast) have been dealing with the issue of facilities
in public right-of-ways (ROWs) and easements where customer structures,
pools, fences, and vegetation have made these facilities inaccessible
for utilities to perform safe and efficient operations.
Six-months ago City Staff formed a committee with local utilities including
Bell South, Comcast, and KEYS, to research the impacts of such build-up
in ROWs and easements to each agency. Approximately 615 utility poles
are currently in rear locations, of which 425 are inaccessible to local
utilities.
In order for KEYS to conform to FPSC orders, the Utility Board passed
a resolution to seek solutions from the City and provide direction on
the placement of upgraded electrical facilities in inaccessible locations.
FACILITIES
Question: What do I have to do to my property?
Answer: At this point it is too early to say what
you have to do to your property. KEYS is working with the City of Key
West Staff and City Commission on direction. Until we obtain direction
from the City, it is unclear which customers, and to what extent, they
will be affected. KEYS has already conducted an extensive survey of
affected facilities so that soon after direction is given, KEYS will
be prepared to respond to each property owner individually.
Question: I thought KEYS owned the lines all the way into my
house?
Answer: KEYS owns the service drop to the house. The
homeowner owns the weatherhead, riser, and meter can (see attached photo).
Question: Are poles going in front of my house? Driveway?
Answer: This will be based on whether or not the City
decides to go with restoring easement accessibility or relocating/upgrading
facilities to the front. If the decision is to move to the front, final
site plans have yet to be drafted/developed, but KEYS will work with
homeowners to ensure that new power poles do not block driveways. KEYS’
design will make every effort to make sure new poles are sited in-between
property lines rather than in-front of homes or driveways.
Question: Is the pole going to be a big pole? Will it be concrete
or wood?
Answer: All new and/or replacement poles will be concrete.
The size of the pole will be dependant on the individual needs of the
home/neighborhood. As plans are developed, more information will be
known. Currently, the poles can range anywhere from 35 feet to 45 feet
in height. A typical pole will have a foot print size of 14 inches by
14 inches.
Question: There are already power poles in front of my house, are you
placing more poles out front, or replacing them?
Answer: Depending on the final plan, KEYS may need
to replace the poles that are currently there in order to ensure their
reliability and allow for the safe installation of electrical facilities.
Wood poles and street light poles would be replaced with new concrete
poles.
Question: There are poles across the street, do I still need
a pole in front of my house?
Answer: Depending on the final design, poles may be
needed on both sides of the street to accommodate upgraded electrical
facilities. This depends on the width of the street and the customer’s
riser location. However, KEYS strives to minimize the amount
of poles in City and County Right-of-Ways.
Question: What about the tall tree in front of my house, are
you going to trim/remove it?
Answer: Depending on the final plan and accessibility,
it may be necessary to have the trees trimmed and/or removed. The location
of the tree will determine who would be responsible for its pruning/removal.
KEYS will prune or remove any trees in order to accommodate the upgrades.
KEYS will not charge customers for these services.
Question: How come KEYS does not install lines underground?
Answer: Converting utilities underground is extremely
costly both to utilities and homeowners. While the reliability of such
lines is greater than overhead lines, restoration times are longer because
electrical faults are not immediately visible and accessible. Additionally,
the use of underground facilities requires that the customers allow
KEYS to “site transformers” on their property (rather than
on overhead poles) and most customers are not willing to part with valuable
property space for such equipment. The smallest pad size is four feet
by four feet and three feet high with a padmount transformer on top.
Also, customers will have to pay between $7,000 to $15,000 to install
underground secondary conduit and wires from the transformer to their
home. Additionally, KEYS will not restore bricks, driveways, or landscaping
temporarily removed for installation.
Question: Who will coordinate this work?
Answer: KEYS will coordinate this project, however,
it will be the responsibility of the homeowner to work with a private
electrical contractor to make necessary changes/upgrades to equipment
that does not fall under the purview of KEYS.
TIMING
Question: When will the decision be made?
Answer: The Utility Board, which governs KEYS, has
passed a Resolution requesting assistance from the City of Key West
to determine how to best proceed with this project. City staff is preparing
a presentation for The City Commission but the meeting is not yet scheduled.
Question: When will work commence?
Answer: After the easements are cleared or the decision
to relocate facilities to the front is made, KEYS will commence design
and construction. KEYS plans to have all work completed within
the next four years.
Question: When should I contact my electrician?
Answer: KEYS will notify all affected customers as
the project proceeds as to what will be required from the homeowner
and appropriate time frames. Customers should wait to contact their
electricians until they have heard from KEYS.
Question: When is all this going to happen?
Answer: Over the next one to four years.
OPTIONS
Question: What other choices are there?
Answer: It is still too early to discuss options.
Currently KEYS is awaiting direction from the Key West City Commission.
Possible options include:
- Restoring accessibility to facilities in easements and ROWs to allow
access to the existing utility poles,
- relocating all inaccessible electrical facilities to the fronts
of homes.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Question: How much will this cost?
Answer: Costs will be dependant on necessary upgrades.
Upgrades are dependant on the direction KEYS is given by the Key West
City Commission. If KEYS and the City reclaim the easements, the cost
may fall on the customer to vacate the easement. If electrical facilities
are relocated to the front KEYS will pay for the poles and high voltage
lines. The customers may have to hire a licensed electrical contractor
if it is necessary for a homeowner to relocate their weather head, riser
and meter can. This could cost anywhere from $4,000 to $8,000.
Question: Who is going to pay? Who do I pay?
Answer: Customers will be responsible for all upgrades
to their meter center and will have to work with, and pay, a licensed
electrical contractor to make the necessary repairs.
Question: Are my electric bills going to increase as a result
of this project?
Answer: No. KEYS does not anticipate an increase to
customer electric bills as a result of this project.
Question: Can KEYS add the cost of this project to my electric
bill?
Answer: No. KEYS can only bill for services it provides,
any work performed by a private electrical contractor will have to be
billed separately by them.
Question: If the easement is not needed by KEYS because they
move to the front, do I have to pay for the area behind my house? Are
my property taxes going to increase as a result?
Answer: KEYS is not the taxing entity and therefore
cannot answer that question.
Question: I don’t have the money to do this now, what
am I supposed to do?
Answer: At this time it is too early to determine
if this project will affect you financially or not. It is important
to be aware of this upcoming project and to begin giving thought to
where the money will come from.
MISCELLANEOUS
Question: It was like this when I bought the property, why should
I have to fix it?
Answer: The Florida Public Service Commission passed
new regulations in order to improve electrical reliability in the State
and increase the safe operation of utilities. Regardless of what the
property was like when you purchased it, all affected properties must
be brought in to compliance.
Question: Why should I have to pay?
Answer: You are not being asked to pay for the relocation
of KEYS’ electrical facilities – only of your own facilities (i.e.:
Meter Center & Riser)
Question: Why should I pay if my section of easement is not
affected?
Answer: As long as electrical facilities are inaccessible
to KEYS in your neighborhood, your reliability could be affected. While
your pole specifically may be accessible - the next pole may not be,
and unfortunately, this project cannot be “pole by pole”
but rather must be for an entire pole line.
Question: Why do I have to bring my system up to code (i.e.:
circuit breakers, panel, etc.)? How will the City handle code violations?
Answer: All system improvements are determined by
City/County Code. All questions regarding code violations should be
directed to the City Building Department.
Question: How come you are not making my neighbor pay, they
are the ones that took over the easement?
Answer: The lack of access to electrical facilities
may cause KEYS to have to relocate all facilities to the front. Each
customer will have to be responsible for the costs of getting power
from our facilities into their home.
Question: Can you provide me with the legal document that shows
KEYS has a legal right to be behind my house?
Answer: It is too early in the process to be able
to provide such documents. We may be able to at some point later.
Question: Can you come to my house to show and explain to me
what the problem is and what I have to do?
Answer: KEYS would be happy to set up an appointment
with you once the City Commission assists KEYS with some direction.
At that point, KEYS will consider each affected property and be prepared
to meet with property owners.
Question: The roadway behind my house is clear, why does this
project still impact me?
Answer: While your block may be in compliance, your
entire neighborhood may not. KEYS, BellSouth, and Comcast can not zig-zag
utility poles/lines in order to accommodate compliant and non-compliant
properties.
Question: If the poles are moved from the back, does this mean
I can build on the easement or “Right-of-Way”?
Answer: All questions concerning property should be
referred to the City of Key West. If the poles are to be relocated to
the front of homes, KEYS will have no need for the easement and will
process any paperwork to relinquish our need for it.
Back to Main Easements
and Electrical Facilities Page |
