City Approves Unbuildable Lots

City Approves Unbuildable Lots
>>>
>>> What would you do if the City dumped 2 feet of dirt on the road you
>>> need to reach your lots? >
>
>>> A realtor turned developer applies for a residential plat in 2003 in an
>>> outer outer ring suburb. Utilities and streets were constructed in 2004.
>>> In the middle of the road is an easement with a 3-inch high-pressure gas
>>> main and the Natural Gas company requires 3 feet of ground cover over its
>>> pipe.
>>>
>>> The city approved construction plans called for improvements within the
>>> 80-foot gas easement. And everyone forgot the gas pipe was there!
>>>
>>> The city inspector for the street and utility construction also worked
>>> for the same company as the engineer that designed the project.
>>>
>>> No one knows, or at least wants to admit, when the problem was
>>> discovered. Though it was likely at the time the curb was being pored.
>>>
>>> Once the Gas Company became aware of the problem, they tried to get the
>>> project stopped until this issue was resolved. The novice developer
>>> assured the Gas Company and was able to convince the city he would take
>>> care of the problem. The city allowed the improvements and street to be completed
>>> without having an approved resolution to the issue.
>>> >
>> The developer continued to ignore the gas company and
>>> was able to continue with the development. The city issued building
>>> permits to the lots that didn't require crossing the gas easement. And
>>> even reduced the developer's security to $25,000!
>>
>> >>
>> To fix the problem the gas company's can either lower the main or put the
>> additional two feet of ground cover back. It would cost about $150,000 to lower the
>>> main.
>>>
>>> So the City just threw up its hands and dumped 2 feet of dirt on the gas
>>> easement to comply with the 3 feet of required ground cover.
>>>
> Before the gas line issue came to light the developer sold 6 lots to his buddy that
>>> required crossing of the gas line to access to them. The buddy financed the purchase
with a local bank. And never made a payment.

>>> So now the bank owns 6 twin home lots that they cannot obtain building permits
>>> for. And can only access by climbing over the berm on foot. And the
>>> bank still owes property taxes on the lots.
>
>>>
>>> Past issues of Heres The Dirt can be viewed at:
>>>
>>> Http://heresthedirtmn.blogspot.com
>>>