suggestions to hide an eyesore ( utility box in front yard)

5 years ago

Waiting for my townhouse to be finished in alameda county and very upset with the city’s placement of this utility box ( see picture). Any ideas of how I can make it attractive? ( I can’t fight it.)

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njmomma

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Not a Pro.

Wow! That's a dilemma. The only thing I can come up with is to put a bench in front of it, then go about landscaping as if it is not there. Grass, plants and flowers.

Of course, make sure you know what the rules are and the access that is needed to get to the unit.

Inspiration:

Traditional Landscape · More Info

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Comments (19)

miss lindsey (She/Her)
5 years ago
Oh my, I would be so angry. Was this show on any of the plans you saw??

As for making it attractive, some of the ones in my community are wrapped with a pretty picture. Usually nature themed like blueberry plants, leaves, etc. But that is done by the city for the prevention of graffiti (it works!) I don't know that that idea would help you any but you could ask the city about it.

Other than that, landscaping is your only option but make sure you fully understand the rules around accessibility for the utility company.
upsidedown101 thanked miss lindsey (She/Her)
functionthenlook
5 years ago
Wow, they couldn't find another place to put it than smack in the middle of your row house. Maybe have a box built to go over top of it. Have a door in the front for the utility company to get in. If the need to get to the whole unit they can lift the box off. I would put a large planter on the top of the box and put plants and flowers. Some cascading over the sides.
upsidedown101 thanked functionthenlook
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We have a hideous power box at the front edge of our yard. It is not in the view of our house when looking straight ahead (as seen in the 2nd image) but we live on a dead end culdesac and it obstructs the initial view of the home (as seen in the first image). Several neighbors have put up some sort of fluffy plant to cover it from view. I have never seen anyone access the larger box and I think it provides power for the light pole next to it. The smaller box is Charter Cable and I have seen them access it before. Any tips or suggestions for something I can do to make it look better? Technically, the right side of the box is over our neighbor's property line. I do not think they would care if we put something to cover it though and we are open to asking them if that is the best solution.
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Saypoint zone 6 CT
5 years ago
Container plantings of tall grasses or whatever grows well in your climate. They can be moved for access or maintenance.
upsidedown101 thanked Saypoint zone 6 CT
Anne Duke
5 years ago
The builder may have plans to disguise this thing. I mean, that is common area so they will be landscaping. Talk to them and see if you can come to agreement. Depending on the number of units on the property, there will likely be other units with the same situation. Round them up, numbers have more weight.
upsidedown101 thanked Anne Duke
suser123
5 years ago
Okay so I was prepared with some ideas until I saw your picture. It just seems a bit unsafe so close to the house. Where are you located?
upsidedown101 thanked suser123
User
5 years ago
I'm sorry, but this is like having a train track run through your front yard. There is no hiding this. I'd look to your contract to see if there was disclosure; and try to break the contract.
upsidedown101 thanked User
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Holy crap!

Please post pictures if you successfully come up with a solution, I'm sure this will help many people.
upsidedown101 thanked Anna (6B/7A in MD)
suser123
5 years ago
Check with power company. Everyone had different criteria. Found different ones from all over. Here is an example of one. To work safely, OPPD crews need at least 10 feet of clearance in front of the transformer (the side that is padlocked), three feet on two sides, and at least one foot on the fourth side.

Curious when did they put that there? Ours was in place before they started building. Was trying to find some info and some things were saying they have to be located a certain distance from doors/windows. Some said 10-20'. Also a window has to be 5' above it.
upsidedown101 thanked suser123
Anne Duke
5 years ago
As of 2014, it’s 8 feet from doors, and three feet shrub/tree clearance for workmen. Since that’s part of an Association (right now the builder) and it is responsible for the landscaping, they are your best resource.
upsidedown101 thanked Anne Duke
suser123
5 years ago
Alemeda Electric Company is the right one? If so found this document.

http://media.alamedamp.com/assets/pdf/matls_inst_criteria_2.pdf
functionthenlook
5 years ago
Sad part is that you probably paid the same price for the row house as you neighbors that don't have a big gray box sitting smack in front. And when you go to sell, it will sell for a lower price because of it. If you can get out of buying this house I would or at least have the price lowered to compensate for the elephant in the yard.
suser123
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
If the right company link above it specifies you must leave clear 3' on each side as Anne wrote. But it also says 8' clear in front and back of it. Is there even 8' between it and the house?
User
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Lucky you :-( Just so happens that Alameda County has art projects going on in conjunction with Alameda Muni Power . Alameda country art. Whip out the pastels and paint brushes. Here are 2artwork samples of painted power boxes in Alameda.
Illie
5 years ago
I also think landscaping will help blend it in. I would try to break the contract or get compensation. Like others said, it will bring down the value of your home.
PRO
Yardvaark
5 years ago
People frequently turn utility features into greater monstrosities by trying to hide them with plants, since plants generally take up a fair amount of space. Doing that here would almost surely overwhelm the small yard. I'd be looking into clever, multi-colored paint jobs. There are artists who take utility features and turn them into art objects with paint. (Photos seem to float by from time to time on Facebook.) I'm not talking about painting a picture on an object but using the principle in more of a decorator kind of vibe. A geometric flavor would have much greater lasting ability. You could look at Islamic, native America or a variety of indigenous art examples for inspiration.
Anna (6B/7A in MD)
5 years ago
Love the painted boxes!
Mike Larkin
5 years ago
there may be planting limitations that the utility company has, which would allow them to gain access to the box at any time.

most people do not care and still plant things too close.

may be good to check first before you plant.

Maybe you could find or make something that could be placed over the box and still be removed.
PRO
Dig Doug's Designs
5 years ago
some ideas:

suggestions to hide an eyesore ( utility box in front yard)

njmomma

Comments (19)

miss lindsey (She/Her)

functionthenlook

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