[dingaling]

> Google looked at Seattle's NIMBY laws regarding utility boxes on sidewalks (each requiring a lengthy community approval process)

Which is good, as sidewalks are for walking, not utility installation pads.

In much of the UK outside conservation areas BT has powers to install cabinets as it sees fit. Combined with utility poles there are now some pavements on my town impassable to prams.

[TorKlingberg]

The parent was downvoted, but this is actually true in the UK. The are utility boxes in some really strange locations. Such as a bicycle lane that runs straight into a box, then just continues on the other side.

[AlfaWolph]

The area of grass past the sidewalk is often part of the easement as well. That's where all the utility poles are set as it is.