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ESCANABA -- Throughout the City of Escanaba there are many city easements across sections of privately-owned properties, generally for the purposes of access to utilities such as electric, water, storm sewer, and sanitary sewer lines. Ownership of the easement section of land remains with the property owner, but the city has the legal right to enter and use the easement in accordance with the legal documentation. This includes the right to require that the easement remain clear of anything that would block access to the section of land such as trees, bushes, fences, buildings, and other obstructions, according to city officials.
Over the years, enforcement of these easement rights has been inconsistent resulting in costly and potentially dangerous situations regarding access to critical utility components, city officials said. The City of Escanaba will be re-asserting it easement rights in order to protect the infrastructure that serves the entire community. The process will begin with properties which intend to undergo improvements through the zoning, fence, and sign permitting processes. Permit applications will be denied until a plan is submitted showing compliance with keeping easements clear and meeting all other ordinance requirements.
"Existing structures and obstructions in the easement area will be expected to be removed by property owners within 12 months of notification that the violation exists. Failure to comply could result in citations and fines," officials said. "In the future, targeting of key neighborhoods with easement encroachments may also take place. The City of Escanaba is not responsible for damages to private property sustained during the course of legally accessing the easement area."