Thanks for the contributions everyone, I'd say all but one were pretty useful. I really appreciate the suggestions and questions. I actually once read and post here a bit on my main account. Good to see the regulars like /u/wamazing and /u/NumNumLobster still at it. Though I don't remember /u/shittysongwriter from before, he was exactly the on-point professional familiar with this type of situation that I expected to find here. Hope the sub appreciates you guys.
That said, truthfully the most likely story is that there isn't any maliciousness, mischief, conspiracy, or incompetence from my sellers, agents, title inspectors, or city.
Most likely scenario, I think, is that the property line was deeper in than I thought it was. That's going to just be my mistake, and I'll have to deal with it - once I confirm it.
I'll confirm that by hiring a surveyor first, before I pull the trigger on a lawyer. After I see how that pans out, I'm going to investigate the city's plans, to make sure they don't violate the bounds of my property. Any advice on tackling that beast, I'll all ears.
It could be that the wall they have set out is just to stop our yards from getting overly destroyed from construction. And, while I'll never love the increased flow, we could really like the sidewalk.
Answers to specific questions I saw in the thread are below, including some reposted answers, because threadsprawl.
What part of the process are they in? Are they staring construction already?
Haven't seen anything heavier going on than the tarp walls they staked out.
Go talk to a re attorney. Many here are giving you specific advice to what you may do under certain situations. They aren't wrong. You aren't giving enough info though. Talk to someone who can look at your parcel, at title, order a survey or review easements. You need specific help. Blow a grand here for a survey and a lawyer to review the situation
I agree. I feel lawyering up may be in my immediate future, but I'm doing as much fact finding as possible before I start ponying up for an attorney's hourly rate. I guess I'm here to find out what i should be finding out.
Is is possible that your lot line isn't where you thought it was? Did you get a survey?
That is super possible. I didn't get a survey, and I think that could be where I failed. More info: several sources pointed me to the map on my Parish assessor's, when buying. The property line seemed to be 40ft from the front wall of my building. At the time, I thought, looks good.
The walls they staked out are much closer than that. Could just be to contain the mess, and I'll quite like the position of the sidewalk. But first, I believe, I need to find out the city's plans, and make sure they aren't encroaching into my land with the plans.
Were there any easements noted?
Not that I know of, but if I didn't have a survey done, would I know? Would easements be identified on the title (thus title inspection), or is this something a surveyor would find? More info: Wamazing suggested my deed, the hell if I know where that is, haha, if I got one. I'm sure it's in the binder o' closing documents. At any rate, I'm going to order a survey.
If you can, find that sign that's posted saying where the funding for the road expansion is coming from. All road projects in LA have one. It will list a phone number for questions. Give it a call.
Good call. I didn't see one, and it may be because this is possibly more of a city-driven project than state. But I'll look for it now.