Several Overland Park homeowners forced Google Fiber contractors to stop work Tuesday morning. Their reasoning? Something much more precious than cable.
Cheryl Brown said her neighbors joined her outside as soon as they saw the crews beginning to dig.
"You would have thought the Martians had landed," said Brown. "And I said, 'No no, no no no.'"
Brown lives on a cul de sac on Nieman Place in Overland Park. All homeowners on the street were notified in advance of the Google Fiber installation, but weren't aware it would be laid under the front lawn. The reason they don't want Google Fiber in the front, as opposed to their backyards where they say their utility easement lies, is because of the bald cypress.
"You're gonna destroy a tree. Just one tree would be so devastating to this neighborhood," said Brown.
The bald cypress is a tree native to the south and rare to the Kansas City region. The trees on Nieman are roughly 40 years old and sit right at the edge of the street where Google Fiber would be laid.
"But more important, they didn't want to sign anything saying that they would be responsible for any destruction of property. Especially these rare, bald cypress trees," said Brown.
With the help of her neighbors, Brown convinced Google Fiber to put their project on Nieman on hold.
Google Fiber representatives declined an interview with 41 Action News, but did send the following statement:
“Google Fiber strives to be a good neighbor. If anyone is experiencing issues, we want to hear from them. Our construction hotline is open 24/7, and we welcome questions, concerns, and invitations to neighborhood meetings and events. (877-454-6959)”
Brown and her neighbors are open to having Google Fiber in their neighborhood, but only if it is laid in their back yard with all their other utilities.
In 2013, Google Fiber contractors severely damaged trees along 39th street in Kansas City's Volker neighborhood.
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Josh Helmuth can be reached at josh.helmuth@kshb.com
