Resident urges city help after Alta Fiber places junction box on front yard

At the council’s citizen-comment period, homeowner Brad Leonard, of 1765 Sugar Michel Place, told the council Alta Fiber placed a large junction box on what he says is his front-yard lot and that the company’s initial relocation moved the structure only about 18 inches. "They moved it about 18 inches," Leonard said, describing the result as insufficient for his plans to build or preserve the property’s value.

Leonard said he contacted the company’s local representative and his HOA and developer, exchanged plans and maps, and was told the box location was part of the company’s master plan. He asked the council for guidance on what authority, if any, the city might have to require a larger move or mitigation. "I don't know what else to do as a person, as an HOA, as the developer of the community, and as the city," Leonard said.

Council members acknowledged the frustration and pledged follow-up. Councilman Havens said he is dealing with similar utility-placement concerns on his property and offered to coordinate; Deputy Mayor Hoke suggested staff would reach out and look for possible solutions. The transcript does not record a formal city action or remedy at the meeting. Leonard said the company had returned to the site, excavated, and moved the box slightly but that the box remains in his front yard and limits his options for landscaping or building.

The council did not take immediate action during the meeting but council members indicated they would follow up with staff and the resident to explore options and potential coordination with Alta Fiber.