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Owner owned two adjoining rural parcels: Frontacre, which bordered a public road, and Backacre, which had no road frontage. Owner conveyed Frontacre to Farmer by a deed stating, "Grantor reserves for the benefit of Backacre a perpetual right of way over the existing gravel lane on Frontacre for ingress and egress." The deed was recorded. Owner later sold Backacre to Developer. Developer divided Backacre into four residential lots and sold them to families who use the gravel lane to reach their homes. Developer also bought a separate lake lot and began using the lane to move construction equipment to the lake lot.
Farmer's successor, who had record notice of the deed, placed a locked gate across the gravel lane after complaining that traffic had increased. The Backacre lot owners seek an injunction requiring the gate to be removed. Farmer's successor argues that any easement was personal to Owner and that, even if it exists, the subdivision ended it.
Discuss the parties' rights. Address creation and character of the easement, whether the benefit and burden passed to successors, whether subdivision of Backacre affects the easement, whether use for the lake lot is permissible, and the likely remedy.