Since a major influx of permanent residents occurred in the late 1960s, problems over property lines have escalated. Nowhere is there a bigger problem than village streets that end at the lake.
Lake Orion Police Chief Jerry Narsh told council members on Sept. 8, his officers are responding to more disputes over village property lines.
“Ten years ago this wasn’t an issue. It’s becoming more prevalent as lakefront has become more valuable,” he said. “And they’re coming to the police for answers.”
With property lines unclear, some homeowners near village land at the end of these roads are utilizing some of the property for their own use.
“No one can acquire public property by adverse possession,” LO Village Manager JoAnn Van Tassel said.
“My concern is what can we do to delineate property lines. We can look at the plat, but sometimes that doesn’t convince the complainant. We are doing our best to solve disputes case by case. We are being challenged,” Narsh said.
Councilman Ken Van Portfliet said he’s counted about 25 such road ends. “It would take a lot of money to accurately define property lines (a survey). I don’t see that we have this money,” he added.
The village has had at least two surveys done because of ownership problems at the end of Detroit and Crescent Streets.
“Even if we got these surveys done, it could still end up in court,” councilman Harry Stephen said.
“If someone is maintaining village property such as mowing it and not inhibiting anyone from coming onto the property, I don’t see any problems as long as there aren’t any complaints.”
Reluctant to spend money on surveys, council members suggested it would be best to continue dealing with individual cases and have the police department carry lists of village owned road ends.