Sticky situation for Subdivision

Sticky situation for Subdivision

New to Real Estate · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2013 · 170 posts · 23 votes

I've come up on a unique scenario where there are some lots for sale that there is no legal access too. The trick is there is access to it, plotted out public right of way on a map. However in this subdivision they've got a few streets here and there that all dead end. While other streets were never put in off the main drive.

This land is just as raw as it was back in the early 1900's, now over grown with dense forest and undergrowth.

So my question here is, would a landowner with enough skills to cut in a driveway be able to do work on the public right of way just enough to get back to the lot or lots that they own? After all if someone is willing to clear the right of way, there shouldn't be too much bureaucracy in getting the job done.

I can see where a driveway permit would be needed from the main drive, but if you had to run say 50' of the right of way, could you get away with not getting a right of way permit and not being a licensed contractor? Mind you there are no utilities. Like i said, they are lucky they got asphalt, that land is raw, not much to it.

In all honesty i dont see why you could not get a surveyor to stake out the right of way back far enough to get to your lot, and then spend a day in there with chainsaws and equipment and make something happen.

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  • New to Real Estate · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2013 · 170 posts · 23 votes
    12y

    hard to belive that afte 19 hours on monday nobodys got an asnwer. nobody has delt with this situation before?

  • Jay HinrichsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Consultant · Summerlin, NV · Member since 2014 · 45k+ posts · 66k+ votes
    12y

    Every jurisdiction is different go talk to the county public works department or the city who ever has jurisdiction. And or just cowboy the road in and worry about it later.. I guess that's your options :)

  • New to Real Estate · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2013 · 170 posts · 23 votes
    12y

    you've read my mind. i love my cowboy projects. Geo textile grid and about 8" of stone would tie everyting in just fine LOL

  • Real Estate Professional · West Palm Beach, FL · Member since 2012 · 23k+ posts · 13k+ votes
    12y

    Without utilities, why would you want to? I've seen a couple of these where the roads were put in, but no electric. The costs to get utilities in, and build a road acceptable the county/city, since that will be one of the requirements if they take it over, is probably why it hasn't been done. Definitely talk the building and zoning dept. if you want to pursue this. Getting a some what accurate costs from the electric company to run the power can be a challenge too. I've had to coordinate getting power lines moved, and it's never a quick, or predictable, process.

  • J ScottPro Member
    Moderator
    Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 18k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    12y

    Is it really worth the risk of buying land, developing it and putting in your own access only to have the county decide that the access isn't approved and then cut off the ability to actually get to your property? :-)

    Why not just get the approvals?

  • New to Real Estate · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2013 · 170 posts · 23 votes
    12y

    true. i wonder how they would handle something like that? surely they wont make the land owners put in a full 24' two lane road complete with curbs and storm drains just so someone can make a driveway to where they want to build?

  • Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
    12y

    Actually they might well do that. And more. Like putting in water supplies, sewer, and electric. Dealing with wetlands and drainage. Environmental impact statements. Public hearings. Who knows what all hoops you may have to jump through. The only way to know is to talk to the planning and zoning commission that controls the area.

    I don't have direct experience, but do have an investment in a development project that has spent years and serious money developing plans and working to get city approval.

  • New to Real Estate · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2013 · 170 posts · 23 votes
    12y

    thats the part i hate about this business. sometimes its all got to be a trumped up balloon project just to make a little place to stay.

    these properties in question are actually going to the tax sale. there is a huge cluster of them going up. apparently a bunch of people cant jump through all these hoops.

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