An easement gives one party the right to go onto another party's property. That property may be owned by a private person, a business entity, or a group of owners. Utilities often get easements that allow them to run pipes or phone lines beneath private property. Easements may be obtained for access to another property, called "access and egress", use of spring water, entry to make repairs on a fence or slide area, drive cattle across and other uses. The easement is a real property interest, but separate from the legal title of the owner of the underlying land.
Oakland County, Michigan, is a vibrant and diverse region known for its thriving communities, beautiful landscapes, and well-maintained infrastructure. One essential aspect of the county's infrastructure is the system of easements for streets and roads. Easements play a vital role in ensuring the smooth functioning, maintenance, and expansion of roads throughout Oakland County. An easement is a legal right that allows certain individuals or entities to use a part of another person's property for a specific purpose. In the case of Oakland County's easements for streets and roads, these rights are granted to the county or local municipalities for the purpose of constructing, operating, repairing, and maintaining public roads. The easements for streets and roads in Oakland County provide the necessary space for roadway infrastructure such as surfaces, lanes, curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and drainage systems. These easements ensure that roadways can be properly designed, widened, and improved to meet the growing needs of the community, as well as to accommodate increased traffic flow and population growth. There are several types of easements for streets and roads in Oakland County, each serving a specific purpose. These include: 1. Public Right-of-Way: This type of easement grants the county or municipality the right to construct and maintain a public roadway within a specified area. The width of the right-of-way can vary depending on the type of road and anticipated traffic volume. 2. Pedestrian Easements: These easements are designated for the construction and maintenance of sidewalks, pedestrian pathways, and crosswalks. They ensure safe and accessible pedestrian movement alongside or across the roadways. 3. Drainage Easements: Drainage easements are crucial for managing stormwater runoff from roadways. They allow for the construction and maintenance of drainage systems, including ditches, culverts, retention ponds, and underground stormwater pipes. 4. Utility Easements: Utility easements are created to accommodate underground utility systems such as water lines, sewer lines, gas lines, and electrical lines. These easements ensure that utility companies have the necessary access to install, maintain, and repair their infrastructure without disrupting the roadway. It is important to note that the specifics of easements for streets and roads in Oakland County may vary depending on the local ordinances, land use regulations, and property ownership patterns. Property owners must be aware of any applicable easements on their land to avoid interfering with the county or municipality's rights and responsibilities regarding road construction and maintenance. In conclusion, the easements for streets and roads in Oakland County, Michigan, are essential for ensuring the efficient transportation infrastructure that supports the community's mobility needs. Public right-of-way, pedestrian easements, drainage easements, and utility easements are all crucial components of this comprehensive system of easements.
