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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Listmates,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>A developer is considering the purchase of development rights over a portion of a property. The development rights are documented by a Development Easement In Gross and a separate Development Covenant. The Seller of the development rights previously owned the servient tenement. At the time that they sold the property, they retained the interest and rights afforded by the Easement In Gross and Development Covenant. The general purpose of the Easement In Gross and the Covenant is the same: Provide the Seller with the right to develop the area, short plat it and sell it off. My sense is that the drafter of these materials may have been trying for the belt and suspenders approach, which I can appreciate. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>My understanding, and I would love for someone to tell me otherwise, is that an easement in gross is generally considered to be a right that is personal to the party to whom the easement is granted. The Development Easement In Gross in this case does <u>not</u> contain language that permits assignment or transfer, does <u>not</u> contain language that would bind heirs, successors and assigns, and does <u>not</u> recite that it is appurtenant. The Easement In Gross purports to convey an “exclusive easement in gross” for the “exclusive future right to develop the easement area into a second lot,” although the “exclusive” nature of it could be interpreted as exclusivity with respect to the Grantor’s use of the easement area for the purpose of protecting the rights of the holder. The Easement In Gross also references the separately recorded Development Covenant. The Development Covenant does provide that the covenant runs with the land, if freely assignable and binds any successors, heirs and assigns. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Can an easement in gross that does not purport to be appurtenant in nature, assignable or binding on successors be conveyed by a quit claim deed? If not, it seems extremely problematic to assign/transfer the rights under the development covenant, thereby severing the unity of interest/rights of the holder of the easement from the holder of the rights under the covenant. Any thoughts or experience anyone has with this situation would be greatly appreciated. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sam<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'>Samuel M. Meyler</span></b><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'>Meyler Legal, PLLC </span></b><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'>1700 Westlake Ave. N., Ste. 200<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'>Seattle, Washington 98109</span><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'>Tel:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'> 206.876.7770<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'>Fax:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'> 206.876.7771<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'>Email:</span></b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'> </span><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><a href="mailto:samuel@meylerlegal.com"><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue'>samuel@meylerlegal.com</span></a></span><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'> </span><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'>NOTICE:</span></b><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'> </span><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:blue;mso-ligatures:none'>This electronic message contains information which may be Confidential or Privileged and constitutes an electronic communication within the meaning of the Electronic Communications Privacy Act 18 USC 2510. The information is intended to be for the use of the individual or entity named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please be aware that any disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this information is prohibited. If you received this transmission in error, please notify the sender and delete the copy you received together with any attachments. Thank you.</span><span style='mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>