The Surveyor and the Law By Jerry Broadus, PLS, Esq. Examine easements carefully. Jerry R. Broadus, LS, Esq.
Many surveyors assist property developers.
In my experience it is in the planning and preparation of subdivision or commercial developments in which surveyors are most likely to be faced with uncertainties concerning prior real estate transactions. Many surveyors are experts in answering such questions, but they should always remember that the issues affecting their answers might involve legal matters. The following case involves an interesting mix of issues concerning an access easement to an undeveloped parcel. There is an east-west running county road in King County, Wash., and a creek named Cherry Creek running east and west a certain distance south of the road. Castanza owned the property bounded on the north by the county road and on the south by the creek.