Minnesota Statute 505 defines how plats are to be created by professional surveyors. In typical legal fashion, its language is somewhat impenetrable. This article will break MN §505.021 (Plat Contents; Survey; County Surveyor Approval) down in briefer, more easily understood terms for the benefit of the general public. Disclaimer: Compass Consultants is not a law […]
Minnesota Statute 505 covers three things: plats, coordinates, and surveys. It is of interest to anyone who would buy, sell or use land in the great state of Minnesota. It is also written in the legal profession’s characteristically dense and impenetrable language. The purpose of this article is to summarize the subdivisions of MN §505 […]
Whenever the subject of fences comes up, we can’t help but think of an old The Far Side newspaper comic. It depicts a father and son looking up a tree, the former of which delivers this little ornithology lesson: “And now, Randy, by use of song, the male sparrow will stake out his territory … […]
If you’re considering purchasing land, then you have likely already encountered a plat map. It provides an overhead view of a parcel of land, and details its physical characteristics and other important information including its: Fortunately, plat maps aren’t esoteric records that are exclusively intended to be interpreted by land surveyors. Anyone can read a […]
Maybe you would like to determine the exact size of a piece of land you intend to sell or purchase. Maybe you are preparing for construction, and would like to make certain you do not encroach on a neighboring property. Or perhaps you would like to settle a dispute – or prevent one from arising […]
A topographic map is the best way of showing hills and undulations on paper. You’ve no doubt seen one before. It’s a map with lines that demonstrate the contours of the land. A mountainous area would have many complex lines to show all its various elevations. A flat area would have few lines, as its […]
Construction Surveys: Build With Confidence Architects, engineers and construction managers all share a common goal: to ensure that each project is built exactly to specifications. They will not achieve their goal without careful planning, which includes gaining a comprehensive understanding of the land they are building on. Fortunately, a single point of reference exists to […]
Imagine you are about to lie down on the ground. What do you do first? That’s right: you check the site for broken glass, pointy rocks, creepy crawlies, and other things that aren’t good to lie down on. It’s instinct. Now, imagine you’re planning to build something: a house, a gas station, a pharmacy, a […]
Farmer Olson is retiring and moving to someplace warm with Mrs. Olson. He has sold his farmland in Minnesota – all 200 acres of it – to a housing developer. The transaction went seamlessly, thanks in no small part to the professional ALTA survey the developer ordered from Compass Consultants. The developer intends to build […]
If Compass Consultants had an office in Pisa, Italy during the 12th century, then the world would not have gotten one of its most famous buildings. We would have carefully scrutinized the proposed site of Pisa Cathedral’s new bell tower, done our research, and reported to our client that the ground was far too soft […]