Gorgeous Maine clapboard street torn apart by petty war over shared driveway, with enormous concrete blocks and bossy signs disrupting the peace
A long-running dispute between neighbours over a shared driveway in Greenville, Maine, has filled the access route with concrete blocks, fencing, planters and warning signs. Emily Patrick and Aaron Crossman say the barriers have restricted their access to their home and are considering leaving the town; the case highlights how disagreements over property rights can escalate into costly legal battles.
The couple bought their home in 2020 and rely on an easement established in 1982, covering a 24-foot-wide strip that runs 125 feet from Lily Bay Road. After a judge ordered barriers obstructing the driveway removed by 19 May 2024, some were shifted or dismantled, but obstacles remain and leave room for about one car at a time. The neighbours say the barriers prevent parking from blocking access to their property; Patrick is also concerned that larger vehicles, including ambulances and medication deliveries, may struggle to reach her family.
- Maine neighbours are locked in a costly dispute over a shared driveway.
- Remaining barriers leave room for roughly one car at a time.
- The homeowners worry larger vehicles may have difficulty reaching their house.
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An easement is a legal right to use land owned by someone else for a specific purpose, such as reaching a home. In this case, the right dates from 1982 and covers a 24-foot-wide strip of driveway leading from Lily Bay Road in Greenville, Maine.
Emily Patrick and Aaron Crossman bought their home in 2020 and say they depend on that route to get to their property. Their neighbours say they put up barriers to stop parked cars blocking access, while Patrick and Crossman say the obstacles restrict who can get through, including larger vehicles.
Disputes over easements can involve questions about how the land may be used and whether access is being obstructed. Resolving them can require court action, and the disagreement has raised concerns for the couple about reaching their home and whether to stay in Greenville.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The neighbours may argue that keeping the shared route clear of parked cars is a legitimate concern, especially if parking could obstruct access for everyone using it. They may also see barriers and signs as a way to protect their use of the property while the easement dispute is resolved, provided these measures comply with the court’s order and do not unreasonably restrict access.
The case against
Patrick and Crossman can argue that the 1982 easement gives them a right to practical use of the full access route, not merely a narrow passage for one car at a time. Remaining barriers may impede ordinary travel and make it harder for emergency vehicles or deliveries to reach the home, while continuing restrictions after a court order risks turning a property disagreement into an undue burden on their household.