what is a greenway easement?

Question

is it over the ground or underground? how does it affect a homesite?

Answer 1

When you buy a home, the city/village/township actually retain the rights to some of your property. This easement is from all sides of your property. It is usually about 7-10 feet, but can be more if you are on a major road or a corner. You own the land, but they can use it for public good if they need to.
The easement is both above and under ground.
The easement gives the municipality the right to dig to bury utilities, or put up a sidewalk. If you plant trees or build a fence across your easement, you might loose them if the city needs to do some work. My Dad was formerlly the foreman for the local utility company and they would regularly have to dig up gardens and take out fences. Here is the fun part. If it takes them longer to remove your fence, you might have to pay their extra time to destroy your fence.

If you do not have a plat map, call your local library and they can direct you to one. If not there, call your local assessor/treasurer and they will be able to get you the information on your specific property.

Two things before you build/landscape. Dial your diggers hotline (call you gas/phone company if you do not know the number) and get a permit. When they give you the permit, they will also be able to outline all of the restrictions in your neighborhood/yard.

Good luck.