Hi everyone,
We have now basically finished the interior of our house and started working on the exterior landscaping over the weekend. We need to maintain a 1.5-meter (5 feet) setback from the property line along the public road. This is also where the temporary construction access road runs at the moment. We have noticed that this access road, or at least its gravel base, extends onto our property as well. I began digging about one meter (3 feet) inside our property line, right where we plan to plant our hedge, and found at least 60–70 cm (24–28 inches) of gravel.
My question is whether the city is responsible for this since they established the construction access road. Before I contact them, I would like to get some advice and one or two arguments here in the forum. I assume we would have to replace a strip of soil about 50 cm (20 inches) wide and 70 cm (28 inches) deep, which won’t be easy considering the compacted gravel. How would you approach this? Grab a shovel and deal with it ourselves, or ask the city to remove the gravel?
We have now basically finished the interior of our house and started working on the exterior landscaping over the weekend. We need to maintain a 1.5-meter (5 feet) setback from the property line along the public road. This is also where the temporary construction access road runs at the moment. We have noticed that this access road, or at least its gravel base, extends onto our property as well. I began digging about one meter (3 feet) inside our property line, right where we plan to plant our hedge, and found at least 60–70 cm (24–28 inches) of gravel.
My question is whether the city is responsible for this since they established the construction access road. Before I contact them, I would like to get some advice and one or two arguments here in the forum. I assume we would have to replace a strip of soil about 50 cm (20 inches) wide and 70 cm (28 inches) deep, which won’t be easy considering the compacted gravel. How would you approach this? Grab a shovel and deal with it ourselves, or ask the city to remove the gravel?
H
hampshire3 Jun 2019 17:44First approach at the authority:
State your goal, outline the initial situation, show that you are also interested in the other party’s objectives, and make the problem a shared issue. Invite them (from a layperson to a professional) to propose a solution. Usually, this is enough. If not, get back in touch—then comes the second approach.
For example:
1. We would like to plant a hedge at the end of my property soon. (Goal)
2. Your construction road passes over this part of our property. A lot of gravel has been added to the ground for your construction road, and its use causes significant soil compaction. No hedge can grow in such soil. (Situation)
3. I understand that you still need this construction road and can therefore wait if necessary until it is no longer required. (Considering the other party’s interests)
4. How can we work together so that you can continue to use the construction road without problems, and afterward we receive soil that can support a hedge? (Bringing goals together and requesting a solution proposal)
Offer something before making demands, without losing sight of your goal.
Be friendly and approachable without compromising on the matter itself.
A good solution proposed by the other party is the best outcome you can achieve. Aim for this. Confrontation, pressure, accusations, emphasizing legal positions, threats, and the like will ruin this chance for the best result.
There are good reasons why some people seem to get everything handed to them while others have to “fight” for everything. “Convincing and involving” is better, smarter, and often faster than “fighting and winning.”
State your goal, outline the initial situation, show that you are also interested in the other party’s objectives, and make the problem a shared issue. Invite them (from a layperson to a professional) to propose a solution. Usually, this is enough. If not, get back in touch—then comes the second approach.
For example:
1. We would like to plant a hedge at the end of my property soon. (Goal)
2. Your construction road passes over this part of our property. A lot of gravel has been added to the ground for your construction road, and its use causes significant soil compaction. No hedge can grow in such soil. (Situation)
3. I understand that you still need this construction road and can therefore wait if necessary until it is no longer required. (Considering the other party’s interests)
4. How can we work together so that you can continue to use the construction road without problems, and afterward we receive soil that can support a hedge? (Bringing goals together and requesting a solution proposal)
Offer something before making demands, without losing sight of your goal.
Be friendly and approachable without compromising on the matter itself.
A good solution proposed by the other party is the best outcome you can achieve. Aim for this. Confrontation, pressure, accusations, emphasizing legal positions, threats, and the like will ruin this chance for the best result.
There are good reasons why some people seem to get everything handed to them while others have to “fight” for everything. “Convincing and involving” is better, smarter, and often faster than “fighting and winning.”
H
HilfeHilfe3 Jun 2019 18:43Is there any indication of when the construction access road will be removed and the regular road will be established? Just to avoid you having to do the work twice.
H
hampshire3 Jun 2019 18:57Nordlys schrieb:
hampshire sometimes has moments of brilliance.Thank you, @Nordlys, for the compliments. This is how I make my living.Similar topics