Cape Coral residents to decide on underground power lines

CAPE CORAL, Fla. – Electric lines in a northwest Cape Coral neighborhood could go underground if residents approve a city council proposal.

The proposed underground power lines would affect property owners of 761 homes and 1,059 vacant lots in North 2, the area west of Burnt Store Road and south of Bonefish Canal, where construction to extend utility pipes is underway. They’ll be mailed ballots around the first of the year, a city official said.

The vote is only open to residents in the area where the power lines would go.

Underground power lines already exist in the downtown district after a multimillion dollar project was approved by the South Cape Coral redevelopment agency in 2009.

The new power lines could cost homeowners thousands of dollars, but Councilwoman Jessica Cosden said one incentive is increased property values. The project would be a fit for the location, she said.

“Since we’ll already be tearing up roads and rights of way in the [Utilities Extension Project in] North-2, it makes sense to underground the electric lines at that point, if the interest is there,” Cosden said.

Here’s a map of the area where the underground power lines would go:

The project would only move forward if it receives majority support from residents.