Why does the MTA need to do a property boundary survey?

The MTA needs to have the accurate locations of the existing property lines, and existing easements or other title rights. MTA needs this information to make accurate maps.

What purpose does this serve?

This helps MTA to either design the project within the existing rights-of-way, so that public or private properties are not affected, or identify areas where we may need to purchase property or easements for the project.

How do surveyors determine the locations of rights-of-way, property lines, or easements?

We gather the documents for the rights-of-way, properties, or easements from the public records, such as the local land records offices, or department of transportation, or departments of public works. Then field surveyors look for what was described in those documents on, or in the ground, such as iron pipes, iron pins, stones, etc. This will assist us in determining the actual locations of the lines. In order to do this, the field surveyors need to access public or private property.

But my property doesn’t even touch the Purple Line alignment…how does this affect me?

Sometimes it may be necessary to access properties that are not on the alignment but touch properties that are. We call these “adjoining properties”, and we access them when we’ve been unable to find any property evidence on the properties along the alignment. This, too, assists us in establishing the existing rights-of-way, property lines, easements.

I had a survey done when I bought the property. Why do you need to do another?

There are certain Statutes and Laws that surveyors must abide by. One of these is the “Minimum Standards of Practice for Professional Land Surveyors” located in the Code of Maryland (COMAR), which states that a surveyor who produces a document (such as a right-of-way or easement plat), must have been in responsible charge of its preparation. This means that the surveyor must have overseen the re-establishment of all property lines, rights-of-way, or easements shown on the document, before they can sign and seal the plat and turn it into a legal document.

Has the proposed Purple Line alignment changed?

The proposed alignment has not changed. These surveys simply help us create accurate maps.

When will the survey crew need access to my property?

Beginning in October 2012, property surveys will be ongoing.

Approximately how long will the property survey take?

A typical boundary survey can take anywhere from a couple of hours to a week. Please bear in mind that access to your property may be required several times over the course of several days. The time we spend at your property depends on several factors including the complexity of the property such as its size; if the property corners are actually in the ground, and are recoverable; if the property has a number of obstructions or is wooded. These are the types of issues that can prolong our stay on a property.

Do I need to be home while the boundary survey is being conducted?

No, it isn’t necessary for property owners or residents to be at home during the time of the survey. However, as a courtesy, a member of the survey crew will attempt to knock on the property door/ring doorbell prior to starting survey work.

I’d like the crew to be aware that I have an underground sprinkler/irrigation system in my yard. How do I notify the surveyor?

As a courtesy, the survey crew will knock on the door/ring doorbell prior to work. You may be able to notify the surveyor at that time. Another option would be to contact Purple Line public outreach at 443-451-3706 and we will then notify the survey crew of any specific concerns at your property location.

What will my yard look like following the survey work?

Any soil disturbance will be replaced and restored by the survey crew.

I have pet in my backyard. Will this cause a problem for the surveyor?

In order for the survey crew to work as efficiently as possible, we request that all pets be secured indoors while the survey is being conducted. The surveyor will attempt to knock on property door/ring doorbell prior to starting work. If we do encounter a pet on your property and no one is at home, our crew will leave a notice requesting the animal be secured indoors as we will make another attempt to accomplish survey work the following day.

end faq