Got a visit from a prospective client that needs to amend a plat done back in 2006.
This subdivision has 76 lots and private 50 feet wide streets. To make the lots bigger they want to reduce the street width down to the back of curb at 37 feet wide.
After reviewing the plat and site visit with him to determine that all lot corners had been set, I explained the process I would go through to complete the job. Since I was not the original surveyor for the subdivision I would need to retrace the exterior of the subdivision and locate all lot and street monumention. Then I could start producing an amended plat.
After hearing a rough estimate and time frame that made him fall out of his chair, he told me that the 3 subdivision around this one had just completed the same task and that developer had paid nowhere near that cost. I told he to give me a day to review the project and also to see what the adjoining subdivisions had done.
Upon review this is what I found.
Brand X Surveying just drafted the record map and adjusted the streets down to 37 feet and claimed to set new front lot corners. All dimension on the map are record only and no mention of the field condition or location of the rest of the lot corners.
Brand Y Surveying just drafted the record map and adjusted the streets down to 37 feet and called the front monuments as being found for 6.5 foot offsets. Not even sure they ever set foot on site.
Neither X or Y are the original surveyor.
I might feel comfortable will either process if I was the original surveyor. Not being I don't see how someone can.
What are you thoughts?
> I might feel comfortable will either process if I was the original surveyor. Not being I don't see how someone can.
I don't either. I'd advise my client to arrange for the original surveyor to do the work.
Tell them to call Suveyors X and Y to do this one to.
I think this is Lee? Hope all is well.... One quick & dirty solution that may work, or may walk the fine line of "huh", is to just complete a Record of Survey of the entire situation and show what is what. Sounds like that is what XXX & YYY did. Title companies will hate you, and so will the utility companies.
Or.... which is what I think would be best, is to have the entire original subdivision abandoned back to raw land, including road vacations, and re-done as a new subdivsion. Just because the roads may be private, there are still public utilities involved. This makes it more complicated. Hopefully none of the lots were ever sold, so you are still dealing with only one property owner. You can still use those existing monuments, but shown as "Reference Monuments", nothing wrong with that IMO.
Re-platting over an existing subdivision does not make the original one just "go away". Future title issues may/can arise in years to come. Thus the need to formally abandon it back to raw land via county resolutions.
Call Jason or Stuart if this is in Mohave Co., they will tell you the same thing. Not sure about La Paz guys though.
Good luck
it is unfortunate when a surveyor does a piss-poor job for a piss-poor fee
if you are the type to do so, a report to the board of registration is in order
> it is unfortunate when a surveyor does a piss-poor job for a piss-poor fee
>
> if you are the type to do so, a report to the board of registration is in order
With all due respect spledeus, I think that is what AZLS is trying to do is the right thing, and I agree with his seeming course of action. I think I know him.
But realize that every state has different rules, regulations, and laws pertaining to subdividing land. It's kind of funny out here in AZ, some interpert those R & R's different than others. The guys with the money (developers) always want the short cut and cut the bottom line. Some "surveyors" take those short cuts, most don't.
Call it what you will, but surveying is not only a profession but it is also a business. For which we expect to be paid well and to do it right. I think AZLS is doing the right thing. But those other guys took the shortcuts and he just tossed this question out to this professional board with a very real question that effects us all.
Yes Wayne, it is I. Lee Johnson. If I could figure out how to change my login name I would.
Back to the topic.
It just drive me nuts. I could have sworn the time of paper subdivisions were over. But I guess with the economy the way it is every one is twisting the nut, and if you twist hard and long enough you will find that person willing to take the short cut for the easy buck.
Well its Friday and I have a scotch on the rocks calling my name. Come Monday I should have the words put together to enlighten the client or send him down the road.
>
> Well its Friday and I have a scotch on the rocks calling my name. Come Monday I should have the words put together to enlighten the client or send him down the road.
Lee,
Just figure out how to describe the paper curve of the new Right-of-Way lines;-)
DDSM
(there is a game?...rock paper something...?)
Ya got that all correct, sir. I feel your pain, and believe me it is tough around these parts too. Guys coming up from Phoenix for 1/2 what I'd charge. Not to mention a certain low balling RH guy driving me nuts. Go figure.
Good luck with your project. If I can help just give me a jingle. If it's Mohave Co, be sure to call Jason. Super, super guy and will bend over backwards to help ya.
Plus, with a re-plat I'd start with P & Z. I always talk to Mimi Myers in zoning to get me started. Or Jodi in Planning. It's gonna take you/owner a year at least.
RE: name change. I emailed Wendell and asked how to do it. So it went from "wayne griffin" to "Chan GePlease". Kinda like chinese currency with a french accent good for a Romney bumper sticker slogan..... or something...... I just had some personal reasons to want to change it, that's all. Still me all you beerleggers.
Just send him an email via the site and they will take care of your concerns. May take a few days, but it worked for me. One thing, you will lose all previous search engine sources for AZLS, if that matters
I Want To Know Why
Making the lots bigger by owning the sidewalk does no good but does increase your taxable land.
Does not make any sense to a knowledgeable buyer.
Paul in PA
I Want To Know Why
To meet some zoning rule?
I Want To Know Why
The front building set back line would also slide forward, give them more buildable area.
I Want To Know Why
Somebody did a wierd one in Kingman a few years ago. Called it a "Terrace Housing Complex" or something. Basically, crammed a bunch of buildings into postage sized lots, and it was all private. Sort of like a condo, but with individual building sites. The city didn't know what to do with it or what to call it, but it eventually got completed. Fire code/access is a big deal so make sure of that.
In MI they call those Site Condominiums. Looks & feels like a subdivsion, but its all condo with individual footprints for individual housing units. All private, but the same "common elements" & "master deed" criteria as a condominium complex. I did a few and vowed to never do another one.
Board of Technical Registration
1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 240
Phoenix, AZ 85007
602) 364-4930
