A San Juan Capistrano homeowner is speaking out after years of what he describes as unauthorized use of his property by Caltrans construction and maintenance crews. Logan Bates alleges the activity has damaged his fencing and landscaping and that crews have repeatedly accessed his land without permission.
“A state agency coming and just taking over my property without permission and creating destruction and havoc for over two years,” Bates said.
Property Tied to Past Freeway Expansion
Bates said he purchased the home in part because of its larger lot size compared with other properties in the neighborhood.
“I liked having a little more property, something where my dogs and me could run around,” Bates said.
According to Bates, the property’s size dates back to the expansion of the 5 Freeway. “The property ended up that way from back in the day when the 5 Freeway was widened,” he explained.
Because of the home’s proximity to the freeway, Bates said he anticipated occasional construction activity. However, he did not expect crews connected to a state agency to repeatedly use portions of his land.
Years of Frustration and Damage
Bates said the issues began in 2022. He provided photos and videos that show portions of his property being used as a construction staging area, with large equipment stored on-site and crews entering areas around his home.
For years, Bates reached out to Caltrans seeking a resolution.
“I was really hopeful that this was just a miscommunication and we were able to resolve that miscommunication easily. But as time went on and as communications got poorer and poorer, I was really getting frustrated with the lack of accountability that Caltrans had.”
Bates alleges the activity caused significant damage to his property, including:
- Broken and torn-down fencing
- Damage from fuel tanks dropped onto his land
He has filed multiple complaints and damage claims and has also contacted local lawmakers regarding the issue.
An Agreement That Fell Apart
In early 2025, Bates met with Caltrans representatives and believed an agreement had been reached regarding future work in the area along Avenida Los Amigos.
“They did acknowledge that if they were ever going to perform work in the area of Avenida Los Amigos again, they would dub me as the street representative and they would reach out to me to coordinate those efforts. And that completely got shattered at the beginning of June when they showed up and started the whole thing all over again.”
As he set aside money for repairs, Bates installed a light and camera, posted private property and no trespassing signs, and marked his property boundaries with rope.
“My big hope is that Caltrans can realize that they can’t just bully people. They might be a state agency, but they can’t just bully citizens and private property and just steamroll their way into doing a project.”
Caltrans Response
In response to questions about the property, Caltrans confirmed it had previously received concerns regarding their work at the location.
“We routinely conduct regular maintenance in the state right of way, including reducing fire hazards, clearing encampments, maintaining fencing, and performing scheduled upkeep. Caltrans is confirming property map details regarding the access point at this location and, in the meantime, is using an alternate entry point.”
Seeking a Permanent Resolution
Bates said he has obtained estimates for repairs to damaged fencing and landscaping.
“I got bids between $40,000 and $50,000,” he said.
As he seeks repairs and a lasting solution, Bates hopes future work will respect both his property and the surrounding community.
“The blatant disregard for our community and its community members was extremely disrespectful.”