I'm doing a survey of 3 connecting parcels at the end of state maintained road. VDOT did a blanket (or Omnibus) deed of all the land owners to make it a 40' R/W (fee) in the late 60's with no cul-de-sac or "T-turn", it just ends. That is common practice here. A well respected local surveyor from that time period did quite a bit of surveying in that particular area and showed the R/W strip (40') and "End State Maintenance" sign. Several other surveys are done over the years, by a few other surveyors, all basically matching.
Well, a surveyor from 2 counties away (now: S2CA) jumped into the fray in 2007 and inserted his "wisdom" into the mix. Said surveyor doesn't have the most stellar rep and while his plat looks all purdy with special fonts for the bearings and distances, it doesn't close by about 2 feet. He created a jog in the R/W to match the pavement, which has been expanded over the years to allow for turning around better, etc. But, the same 40' width and location that the respected surveyor showed should have been held, and is fairly easy to recreate on the ground.
Anyway, the below conversation transpired just before a sudden lightning storm crept up and one cracked so close I could smell the burning ozone.
Neighborhood fellow: "Hey buddy... Did you put that iron in the middle of my driveway?" He was looking sort of determined and unhappy.
Me: "No sir I didn't (I really didn't), I just found it and measured to it. I have not placed any irons in the ground today" I hadn't. I handed him my card and introduced myself at this point.
Neighborhood fellow: "Well, it's just wrong (We've all heard this). It's supposed to go on yonder (ignoring the jog S2CA created) and be a straight line. I told that other fellow that what he was doing was wrong". (Basically, this fellow was telling me is that S2CA had incorrectly given him extra area on his parcel and extra frontage along the road R/W. I was simply astounded that such a regular guy totally grasped the minor differences that we deal with).
Me: "Well sir, I knew something was a little amiss, but I wanted to get out here and see what was going on for myself. Thank you very much."
Neighborhood fellow: "Well, there's a pin down there near the mailboxes that's my corner, you'll need that one. Thanks for listening this time, that other fella didn't".
Me: "Thank you again, I'll be looking into it for sure".
That was a very nice way to end the day at a control point that I had to break down in the middle of because of the lightning and heavy rain... I HATE when I have to break down before I'm done with a set up. Looks like I'll be digging a few pins out of some pavement tomorrow.
Looks like I'll be putting a "special note" on the plat about the R/W too.
🙂 😉 😛
Carl
It is nice when people surprise you in a good way once in a while. I was on a job a couple of days ago where my client had been warning me about the adjoiner since I started. Said he was encroaching, was going to complain, hard to get along with, and a general jerk. When I finally met the adjoiner, standing next to his corner, he was as nice as could be. Said he knew he was encroaching, was going to move everything back to his property, didn't complain about the corner, offered me some water, and offered to help my client when he starts building on his property. I wish all jerks were like that!
A very good story. Thanks for sharing.
I would follow up. Send a copy of your plat, prior to certifying, along with a copy of the foul survey to the idiot who made it. If his response is of no value to the public, then send the Plat copies to the Board with a short report of the facts.
Notarized statements by the citizens involved would seem reasonable if they are agreeable. Document the facts. "He was rude, lude and tatooed!!" "He ignored my monuments and gave no explanation."
Report foul surveys and the surveyors who do them. It is the Boards duty to determine what if anything to do about it, not your's. Never file a complaint. Just report the facts that appear contrary to law and basic survey practice.
I we don't followup, no one else will.