Depending on what state your in there are specific requirements for these types of descriptions.?ÿ I have prepared and reviewed many of them in Idaho.?ÿ Some are simple, some have 400 legs.?ÿ The primary purpose is to define a taxing district, which is approved by the Idaho State Tax Commission. Just like anything, once you go through the process a time or two it much easier.?ÿ I have determined that all they really need is a description and sketch that closes so they can map the polygon and then send it back to the county.?ÿ On the long drawn out ones i put a note at the bottom of the description regarding its source and intended use and move on.?ÿ The only issue I've had in 10+ years is the occasional reference typo.?ÿ Book 5 instead of 8 or something similar.?ÿ?ÿ
Yeah, I'm not even going that complex except for when there's a "special" lot or parcel with weird esoteric stuff, and just add the reception number so anyone can go lookup?ÿ
Just corners of parcels along ROW or Roads if they're actually in and paved and nothing more, no specific directions or distances, just the Tom Tom version.
Funny, does that system even still exist??
I always heard a picture is worth a thousand words.
In my opinion, yes, specific cardinal directions ARE too specific. Others may disagree, but when I write descriptions of this nature, it is my intent to remove any interpretation that the description is based on an actual survey.?ÿ Just my preference.
My limited experience with urban renewal areas is this - surveying a lot in Boston within an urban renewal area from the 1960's or 70's. (I don't understand why so many people are saying URA's are "new".) As it happened, the URA was a taking by eminent domain. So in your case, I would urge you to describe this taking so that it can be readily placed upon the ground. At some point, long after you've written the description and moved on to 50 other projects, your description will likely be used for a taking or a conveyance. Even if you simply put State Plane coordinates at each corner of the parcel, make it so that a surveyor 50 years from now can retrace the lines on the ground.
I was trying to?ÿ think like a lawyer, " And Mr so and so, you learned in the Boyscouts that west was what?" "
MR SO AND SO: "270 DEGREES......"
Lawyer: " No further questions your honor..."
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... "in a westerly direction" tells you to face the setting sun, but what is printed next should tell what to follow be it an existing ROW, a creek, a road centerline, etc.?ÿ Using a cardinal direction, one doesn't need to follow anything but the compass needle.
The basic idea is they're avoiding a real survey to not spend money. it's a practice in planning etc because they can make those decisions.?ÿ
If I start attaching coordinates and other more specific information?ÿ I'm starting to cross that line(see what I did there..????)?ÿ
The parcel corner to corner etc with vague directions keeps its out of survey reality and in planner and GIS satisfaction.?ÿ
I agree about being able to retrace, and as the parcels and amendments?ÿ and resolutions etc that are filed have been filed and will be filed matriculate into the data pool,?ÿ they'll be retractable from the original monuments and plats likewise.
I tried to imbue the planner that we should call this an area of interest?ÿ or just area, because saying it's a boundary?ÿ invokes statutory process.
FUN TIMES!
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And thank you for your response too, I appreciate every comment from(and even Mr funny Guy?ÿ Bovine prevaricator.?ÿ ???????) all of you, it's a professional community and customs are different yet similar across the country.?ÿ
I've written many descriptions this year for zoning, city franchises and for annexation without stepping foot in the field. But I also add this note:
THIS DOCUMENT WAS PREPARED UNDER 22 TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE CODE ?? 138.95, DOES NOT REFLECT THE RESULTS OF AN ON THE GROUND SURVEY, AND IS NOT TO BE USED TO CONVEY OR ESTABLISH INTERESTS IN REAL PROPERTY EXCEPT THOSE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS IMPLIED OR ESTABLISHED BY THE CREATION OR RECONFIGURATION OF THE BOUNDARY OF THE POLITICAL SUBDIVISION FOR WHICH IT WAS PREPARED.
Usually it's compiled from a deed sketch and I can't cite any monuments unless they are in place, I have personal knowledge of them and can accurately describe them.
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Yep.
No monuments cited not even physical evidence.
Just the works which essentially say "kinda this way to sorta there, thence similar to that one sorta..."
If they need more they need a real survey,?ÿ and that's OK too. Just lots more time and money.?ÿ?ÿ
Thank you for your Contribution!
This is a great website!!!!!!
Some can be as simple as:?ÿ All of Blocks 8-29, Original Plat of Brookshire and the streets and alleys interior thereto.
Agreed.
Except they need a way to describe path someone might walk around thus to see what the exterior looks like.?ÿ
Notice I didn't say boundary.?ÿ
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These are planners.?ÿ They have no intention of getting a survey.
in the interest of conserving taxpayer dollars and eliminating confusion why don't you attach the same sketch / diagram you are relying upon??ÿ Cross-hatch or use a dot-hatch pattern that can be reproduced in gray-scale to clearly show the area.?ÿ When the document is recorded show it on the attached Schedule A.?ÿ
Most likely, there is no need to provide measurements of any kind.?ÿ Forget anything that sounds like a boundary description.?ÿ This is more of a check the box thing.?ÿ Is Block 19 part of the URA??ÿ No, is the answer.?ÿ Is Block 20 part of the URA??ÿ Yes, is the answer.?ÿ That's about all that is needed for future use.?ÿ Is a specific site in or out of the URA.?ÿ That's it.
Winner winner fried in peanut oil only chicken dinner!
They sent back the first draft because I accidentally uses a parcel number that was appearing in an adjacent URA.?ÿ OOPS.
Rewrote and followed their crayonesque sketch and they're happy now.
It's definitely a learning experience. ?????ÿ
I think confusion is part of that goal sometimes,?ÿ with planner etc.
Nothing is being recorded officially I think this will just end up in a report with a broad reaching executive summary and lots of photos and drawing of concepts etc.
They look to the lawyers to make sure we're OK.
Thanks for your response,all of these are great comments on the process and great for anyone who is learning to do this kind of work.
@williwaw the correct term is "land description". A land description can be an illegal description (i.e. a description prepared for an illegal subdivision).