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Board continues patent-easement abandonment after neighbors warn of blocked access, flooding and on-site construction
Summary
Neighbors opposing a patent-easement abandonment asked the board to halt action after saying the proposed abandonment would block access to a well house and eliminate an emergency route across a seasonal wash. The board continued the matter so staff can investigate; the item was rescheduled for May 7.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors continued a patent-easement abandonment after multiple property owners said the proposed abandonment would block access to parts of their properties, threaten emergency egress during periodic flooding and that construction had already begun on the ground.
Three residents who said they live near the parcel addressed the board in opposition. Josh Sanders told the board the top easement “is an emergency in case the other 2 neighbors need to get out” because a wash below the properties fills annually. He added that the abolition of the easement would block access to a lower parcel. Ashley Sanders said the abandonment “is gonna block our access on the lower part of our property, which would block our access to our well house.” Donald Pease (transcribed as Pease) told the board he had seen roads and fences already constructed and expressed concern that the property owner was proceeding without permits.
County staff said they had received one formal complaint about the matter before the meeting and recommended additional review. After hearing the speakers and staff, Vice Chair Supervisor Brophy McGee moved to continue the item to allow staff to meet with residents, investigate the access and emergency-egress claims, and review on-site construction; Supervisor Steve Gallardo seconded the motion. The board voted unanimously in favor of the continuance and set the item for the May 7 board meeting for a fuller staff report.
County staff said they would follow up immediately on the residents’ claims and would meet privately with the neighbors to gather contact details and examine the on-the-ground conditions. During the meeting staff specifically said they would check whether the ongoing work should be paused pending the staff review.
The continuance leaves the patent-easement abandonment unresolved; neighbors asked the county to ensure emergency egress and private access are preserved and to verify permits for any on-site construction before further action.
