Good Gates Make Good Neighbors
Comment





I used to wonder at the apparent paranoia or antisocial behavior of certain neighbors who were suddenly blocking their roads with gates, roads that I used to drive on my way to town, though now impassable due to erosion. I really thought I would never do something like that.

It began with our noticing that some things weren't quite right. Here and there on our private road some brush had been cut and left in place, potentially becoming fire storm fuel.

Then suddenly a neighbor was grading the other three roads around the parcel below us. He had not asked permission of the actual property owners, nor of the County. Even though they do not control or maintain these roads, they would probably require a permit.

He had even cut into the far end of our road which belongs to another very concerned neighbor. Suddenly I realized that he would be coming in my direction and I had better do something fast.

We, and four others fully own our road because it cuts up and through our properties to get around a wash. A tin sign probably older then me does say "Private Road".

California law says that I really do own my corner of the road - just put up some signs. I put up two "No Trespassing" signs and told the intrusive neighbor to stay off of my property. You do have to tell them. (I also told other concerned neighbors that they are welcome to pass through anytime they wish. Just don't alter the terrain.) And I parked our car on the road for now, also establishing ownership.

I then purchased a real nice ranch gate at Tractor Supply in Yucca Valley and had it delivered. The story follows:








Old sign at the other end of our private road


The south half of our road was secretly graded.
Another neighbor then moved rocks into it.


Added a sign and blocked our end of the road


Adding a 2nd "No Trespassing" sign to our road


Tractor Supply gates


Our 16' Countyline Utility gate has arrived


Digging the first post hole


Bringing home the douglas fir posts & braces


A Simpson Strong-Tie anchor on the post
with post brace connectors





Found a boulder in the post hole


Hanging the Simpson anchor on the 8' post
inside the hole


Getting the hole wet before pouring concrete


Pouring concrete around the Simpson anchor


Fitting a post brace








Fitting a Simpson connector to the brace





Extending the Simpson Strong-Tie with an 8" bolt





Keeping the concrete wet until it becomes solid








Preserving the Douglas Fir gate post


Fitting the 16' ranch gate to the post





Digging the second post hole on the right





Hanging the second 8 foot post's anchor
inside the hole




Talk









Fitting the post brace steel brackets


Fitting the Simpson Strong-Tie to the post brace














Chiseling a hole for the third post








Cutting the first post to height of the second


Then cut and treated the third post


The gate wheel fits perfectly - here


The gate hinges are centered


The gate wheel overlaps post three


Moving the gate hinges


The gate wheel now fits





Raising the driveway to carry the gate wheel





Oops! Round concrete pilings will want to rotate








This gate latch and its stub barely connect


This post does not need a gate latch


Shimmed this ranch gate stub with a stick


Eight inch wide posts allow lateral adjustment








Solar lamps on post tops will light the way at night





Comment




If Popups are disabled
in your browser and you
want to view the Comments,
enable Popups in your
browser's settings
Copyright © 2019, Van Blakeman