76-3-305. Vacation of plats -- utility easements. - Montana Statutes

     76-3-305. Vacation of plats -- utility easements. (1) Any plat prepared and recorded as provided in this part may be vacated either in whole or in part as provided by 7-5-2501, 7-5-2502, 7-14-2616(1) and (2), 7-14-2617, 7-14-4114(1) and (2), and 7-14-4115. Upon vacation, the governing body or the district court, as provided in 7-5-2502, shall determine to which properties the title to the streets and alleys of the vacated portions must revert. The governing body or the district court, as provided in 7-5-2502, shall take into consideration the previous platting; the manner in which the right-of-way was originally dedicated, granted, or conveyed; the reasons stated in the petition requesting the vacation; the parties requesting the vacation; and any agreements between the adjacent property owners regarding the use of the vacated area. The title to the streets and alleys of the vacated portions may revert to one or more of the owners of the properties within the platted area adjacent to the vacated portions.
     (2) However, when any poleline, pipeline, or any other public or private facility is located in a vacated street or alley at the time of the reversion of the title to the vacated street or alley, the owner of the public or private utility facility has an easement over the vacated land to continue the operation and maintenance of the public utility facility.

     History: En. Sec. 12, Ch. 500, L. 1973; amd. Sec. 8, Ch. 334, L. 1974; R.C.M. 1947, 11-3870(1); amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 100, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 277, Ch. 42, L. 1997.