Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Comment Right Of Way topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident says city crews removed shrubs and entered yard without permission; manager cites right‑of‑way
Summary
During public forum William Wolf told Carlisle City Council that city trucks and a subcontractor used a key to his gate and removed trees and shrubs up to 100 feet into his yard; City Manager Chris Lohr said the vegetation removal occurred in a recorded public right‑of‑way and staff attempted to contact the resident before work.
William Wolf, a Carlisle resident, told council during the Nov. 26 public forum that city trucks and a subcontractor—or someone working for Duke Energy—entered his property and removed trees and shrubbery without his permission.
"They were one hundred feet into his yard," Wolf said, describing crews that he said used a key to open a cattle gate and worked well back from the roadway. He said the vegetation removal exposed the road and removed a noise and sight barrier that had previously slowed passing vehicles; he said drivers now "gun it" through the intersection and that a utility pole has been relocated closer to the road, creating safety concerns.
City Manager Chris Lohr responded that crews removed vegetation in the public right‑of‑way to clear a line of sight at an intersection and that staff had attempted to contact Mr. Wolf before the work. "We did attempt to get in touch with Mr. Wolf before we were out there," Lohr said, and he offered to sit down again with Wolf and Mr. Coffey to review the recorded plats and easement documents.
Wolf disputed the city's characterization of the land, saying previous conveyances he provided to the city show only a railroad right‑of‑way and do not demonstrate a city easement. He asked whether the city could produce a written record granting the right‑of‑way; Lohr said the city had recorded documents and offered to show them.
Councilmembers asked questions about notification and the origin of keys. Councilmember Jason Faulkner said that beyond an established public easement, city crews should not be on private property without permission, and he pressed staff on whether the resident had been properly notified. Wolf's wife also addressed the council and said she was at home the day of the work and did not hear anyone knock on their door.
Council did not take formal action at the meeting but the City Manager agreed to meet with the resident to review plats and recorded easements and to follow up with council if issues remain unresolved.
The council's next regular meeting is Dec. 10; the city manager indicated he would pursue a follow-up meeting with Mr. Wolf and report back.
