WCOM NEWS

5-20-04

Miramar reverses denial of FPL electrical substation

MIRAMAR--City commissioners gave Florida Power & Light Co. a green light Wednesday night to build an electrical substation.

Residents of Harbour Lake Estates in Miramar and Encantada in Pembroke Pines protested the substation at Pembroke Road and Southwest 196th Avenue, citing concerns about their health, safety and property values.

"I've only seen property values in the city increase," said Miramar Mayor Lori Moseley. "We all need power. Substations are all over the place in residential communities."

Commissioners voted 4-0 for approval. Vice Mayor Marjorie Conlan was not at the meeting.

In September, an outpouring by homeowners caused commissioners to reject the substation location. To appease city officials and residents, FPL offered to buffer the substation with a 12-foot-high decorative wall and 32 oak trees.

In November, FPL filed suit against the city for not approving the construction of the substation. The company said it would withdraw the litigation within three days.

Before the vote, 21 residents of Miramar and Pembroke Pines spoke against the project.

"Please honor the decision you made last year. I ask you to have the moral courage to fight FP&L," said Andrew Soterakisof Harbour Lake Estates in Miramar.

Residents said they will be forced to litigate.

(source) Sun Sentinel (Lori Sykes) 5-20-04