Opinion ID: 2410482
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: court's discretion to modify previous orders

Text: Appellants claim the Chancellor erred in his 1985 order by enjoining them from placing across the road any obstruction of a different type, or in a different position, than the gate utilized in September, 1976. The granting or denying of an injunction is a matter falling within the sound discretion of the trial court and its decision will not be reversed on appeal unless it is clearly erroneous. Bassett v. City of Fayetteville, 282 Ark. 395, 669 S.W.2d 1 (1984). Appellants argue that the trial court should allow the wire gate on the perimeter of their property to stand, as the construction of some gate was necessary to protect their property. Granted, the owner of a servient estate may erect gates across the way if they are so located, constructed or maintained as not unreasonably to interfere with the right of passage, and when they are necessary for the preservation and proper and efficient use of the servient estate. Jordan v. Guinn & Etheridge, 253 Ark. 315, 485 S.W.2d 715 (1972). However, the testimony is in sharp conflict as to whether the wire gate, particularly, as opposed to the 1976 metal gate, constitutes an obstruction to the roadway. In this regard, we do not find that the Chancellor's findings were clearly erroneous.