Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Right Of Way topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident tells Loudon City Council decades-old 100-foot right-of-way is obstructing sale of family property
Summary
At the March Loudon City Council meeting, resident Brent Watson urged the council to recognize and enforce a 100-foot right-of-way on a family parcel on Blair Bend, saying construction on the easement has blocked sales and asking the city and its attorney to pursue a survey and next steps.
Brent Watson, a Loudon resident, told the Loudon City Council on March 24 that his family's parcel on Blair Bend is encumbered by a 100-foot right-of-way that was deeded in 1980 and "verified" in February 2011, and that construction by a third party is blocking ingress and egress and has already scuttled a sale.
"There's feelings and there's facts. The fact is, back in 1980, that was the right of way that was deeded, hundred foot right of way," Watson said. He told council the problem has prevented buyers from completing purchases and that his aunt, who is in hospice, and his mother would benefit from proceeds of a sale.
Watson said the area in question has been maintained for years and that the company he described variously as "Union Carbine, Thales, whoever it was" has built on the right-of-way. "The fact is they built on the right of way. So I just want to know what do I need to do or what's our next course action?" he asked.
City staff and the city attorney discussed next steps with Watson after his remarks. Watson said surveying has been difficult recently; he offered a name of a private surveyor and said he could arrange a survey if that would help. A council member and city attorney offered to meet with him and the attorney after the meeting to discuss options.
No formal council action was taken during the public comment period. Watson characterized the immediate need as obtaining a survey to stake the right-of-way and determine the factual record; he requested city assistance in that process.
Background: Watson said an ordinance and deed records from 1980 and a 2011 verification support his claim to a 100-foot right-of-way serving the parcel. He said the obstruction has already caused at least one failed sale and that other buyers withdrew after seeing ingress/egress questions.
The council did not vote on the issue during the meeting; Watson was directed to meet with the city attorney and, if a private surveyor is available, to pursue staking the claimed easement.
Ending: The matter remains at the investigatory stage following public comment; Watson said he and the city attorney would meet after the session to discuss next steps, including arranging for a survey.
