My question involves an easement in the state of: Calirornia
Developer wants to take away part of our easement.
Thanks in advance for your thoughts on this. This the state of California – Contra Costa County if that matters at all.
There are 3 houses that have a 40’ right of way easement on a property that is currently a church. A developer has purchased this property and is trying to get the 3 properties that use this access to abandon the current easement and accept a new one. None of the home owners agree to this change, however he is working the fact that it is “his property” and he can do whatever he needs to make his project go through.
This easement was done in 1954 and currently the use is about 8 feet of the easement is gravel that people can park on in front of our house, a 20some foot drive and a grassy field which we also use as a roadway / turn around area. The entire 40’ is used and maintained by the homeowners, including mowing down the field area up to the easement line. Recently the property owner sent over gardeners to mow down the already mowed field.
There are many details about his proposed use, but I am not sure what would be helpful for advice. Our main question is can he force us to change the easement and can he build sidewalks, yards, landscape on a right of way easement?
Please let me know of any information you may need.

