PLATS: OLD AND NEW Minnesota Recorder s Summer Conference June 14, 2007 Lisa M. Hanni, PLS
Minnesota s Original Public Land Survey Plats (Government Land Office Plats) Used with permission from the Mn Historical Society
Minnesota s General Land Office Plats The original public land survey plats were created during the first government land survey of the state. They serve as fundamental legal records for real estate, as an essential resource for surveyors, and as an analytical tool for the state s physical geography prior to European settlement. The original public land survey plats are the official legal land records for Minnesota and all property titles and descriptions stem from them. Used with permission from the Mn Historical Society
Deputy Surveyor s Field Notes
Plats were drawn by the Surveyor General s office from the field notes
This digital collection is a compilation of the state s original plat maps drawn by the U.S. Surveyor General s Office over the years 1848 1907. The collection includes later plat maps, up to the year 2001, drawn from surveys conducted by the General Land Office and the Bureau of Land Management. The team : Minnesota Secretary of State Office (SOS) Secretary Mary Kiffmeyer, Bert Black Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDot) Jay Krafthefer, Dave Gorg (since retired) Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) Bob Horton, Ben Bloom Minnesota Association of County Surveyors (MACS) David Claypool Minnesota Department of Administration Land Management Information Center (LMIC) David Arbeit, John Hoshal
Minnesota s Preservation Process Web distribution http://www.gis.state.mn.us/glo/index.htm
Web distribution
Web distribution - Township Selection
Web Distribution - View or Download
Web Distribution - View or Download
View Re-sampled pdf (200 dpi)
View Re-sampled pdf (200 dpi)
Download pdf (800 dpi)
View 200 DPI resampled pdf Download 800 DPI pdf zipped file
500% Magnification
1140% Magnification
Why color and high DPI? Comparison GLO: 1867 Minnesota GLO: 1858
Final Notes Color verses Black and White Scanning time would be longer File sizes would be larger DPI resolution We wanted the maximum resolution in order to extend the longevity of the images and not have to handle the fragile documents again Ultimate decision: Replicate the plat by using color and high resolution
What s Next? The Field Notes Currently doing a pilot project with BLM to scan and index field notes (250,000+pages /750 volumes). It will identify issues and give us an estimate on the cost to complete the entire state. DVD distribution to County Recorders
New Plats Platting Law Changes August 1, 2007
New Plats Main Changes to MS 505 For the most part, there were not many changes that were not already common practice.
New Plats Main Changes to MS 505 505.01 Donations, Purpose, Definitions Parks are donated as fee title Subd. 1. Donations. Public ways (street, road, alley, trail, ) are conveyed as easements.
New Plats Main Changes to MS 505 505.01 Donations, Purpose, Definitions Subd. 2. Purpose. A plat prepared and recorded in accordance with this chapter may be used to: (1) indicate the dedication of easements for public ways, utility easements, and drainage easements as necessary for orderly development; (2) depict one or more parcels for the purpose of simplifying legal descriptions, or; (3) comply with minor subdivision procedures of a local unit of government.
New Plats Main Changes to MS 505 505.01 Donations, Purpose, Definitions Subd. 3. Definitions. Block Drainage Easement Lot Minor Subdivision procedure Outlot Plat Plat monument Public way Survey line Utility easement Water boundary Wet land Witness monument
New Plats Main Changes to MS 505 505.021 Plat contents; survey; County Surveyor approval Subd. 1. Plat format. Only one plat size: 22 inches by 34 inches (was 20 x 30 or 30 x 40) Material: 4 mil transparent reproducible film or the equivalent No More Hard Shells!!!!
New Plats Main Changes to MS 505 505.021 Plat contents; survey; County Surveyor approval Subd. 3. Ownership interest; acknowledgement. The names and signatures of all fee owners, contract for deed vendees, and mortgage holders of record shall appear on the plat, together with a statement as to their interest. Notary stamp not necessary if the jurisdiction, the notary s name, title and expiration date is printed or typed on the plat
New Plats Main Changes to MS 505 505.021 Plat contents; survey; County Surveyor approval Subd. 5. Mathematical data; dimensions; labels; symbols. The mathematical closure tolerance of the boundary, all lots, blocks, and outlots shall not exceed 0.02 foot Dimension and descriptive recitals in the legal description shall be depicted and labeled on the graphic portion of the plat
New Plats Main Changes to MS 505 505.021 Plat contents; survey; County Surveyor approval Subd. 10. Survey. Monuments shall be set at all angle and curve points on the outside boundary lines of the plat PRIOR TO RECORDING The surveyor that certifies the plat shall be the surveyor whose license number is on the monuments
New Plats Main Changes to MS 505 Subd. 1. 505.03 City, town, and county approval. Plats that subdivide land are subject to the approval of the elected body of the local governmental units exercising their authority over the subdivision of land. Plats that only delineate existing parcels or comply with a minor subdivision procedure may be approved by a local government official designated by the governing body of the local governmental unit exercising authority over the subdivision of land.
New Plats Main Changes to MS 505 505.08 Subd. 2. Public certified copies. The general public shall have access to and may inspect the plats during normal business hours (instead of at their pleasure ) If a plat or any part thereof becomes illegible from use or wear, it shall be the responsibility of the recorder, registrar, or county surveyor (depending on where the copy resides) to make a reproduction copy of the official plat.the county recorder or registrar certifies it as a correct copy.
New Plats Main Changes to MS 505 Repealed Sections: 505.02 Subd. 1 and 2 505.08 Subd. 1, 2a, and 3 505.08 Subd. 3 Premature reference to plat; forfeiture Attorneys felt it was not government s place to slow down commerce. By eliminating this subdivision, lawsuits involving penalties and violations would have to be brought under other statutes; and would not be recovered in an action brought in the name of the county unless so specified by statute.
Questions?