You can do anything you like to the easement land, as long as you don't block his access. If he decides to widen his driveway, you can't stop him. However, I doubt he can put in a _second_ driveway just for spite. He's unlikely to do so, since it will cost $5-10k.
Tell him all this in writing. Then put in your landscaping. If he destroys your landscaping, you get to sue him AND file criminal charges against him. The laws are:
REVISED JUDICATURE ACT OF 1961 (EXCERPT)
Act 236 of 1961
600.2919 Damage or waste to land; damages; injunction; contempt. [M.S.A. 27a.2919 ]
Sec. 2919. (1) Any person who:
(a) cuts down or carries off any wood, underwood, trees, or timber or despoils or injures any trees on another's lands, or
(b) digs up or carries away stone, ore, gravel, clay, sand, turf, or mould or any root, fruit, or plant from another's lands, or
(c) cuts down or carries away any grass, hay, or any kind of grain from another's lands without the permission of the owner of the lands, or on the lands or commons of any city, township, village, or other public corporation without license to do so, is liable to the owner of the land or the public corporation for 3 times the amount of actual damages. If upon the trial of an action under this provision or any other action for trespass on lands it appears that the trespass was casual and involuntary, or that the defendant had probable cause to believe that the land on which the trespass was committed was his own, or that the wood, trees, or timber taken were taken for the purpose of making or repairing any public road or bridge judgment shall be given for the amount of single damages only.
THE MICHIGAN PENAL CODE (EXCERPT)
Act 328 of 1931
750.382 Maliciously destroying or injuring trees, shrubs, grass, turf, plants, crops, or soil.
Sec. 382. (1) A person who willfully and maliciously, or wantonly and without cause, cuts down, destroys, or injures any tree, shrub, grass, turf, plants, crops, or soil of another that is standing, growing, or located on the land of another is guilty of a crime as follows:
(a) If the value of the trees, shrubs, grass, turf, plants, crops, or soil cut down, destroyed, or injured is less than $200.00, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $500.00 or 3 times the value of the trees, shrubs, grass, turf, plants, crops, or soil, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine.
(b) If any of the following apply, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 1 year or a fine of not more than $2,000.00 or 3 times the value of the trees, shrubs, grass, turf, plants, crops, or soil, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine: (i) The value of the trees, shrubs, grass, turf, plants, or soil cut down, destroyed, or injured is $200.00 or more but less than $1,000.00.
(ii) The person violates subdivision (a) and has 1 or more prior convictions for committing or attempting to commit an offense under this section or a local ordinance substantially corresponding to this section.
(c) If any of the following apply, the person is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for not more than 5 years or a fine of not more than $10,000.00 or 3 times the value of the trees, shrubs, grass, turf, plants, crops, or soil, whichever is greater, or both imprisonment and a fine: (i) The value of the trees, shrubs, grass, turf, plants, crops, or soil cut down, destroyed, or injured is $1,000.00 or more but less than $20,000.00.
(3) The values of trees, shrubs, grass, turf, plants, crops, or soil cut down, destroyed, or injured in separate incidents pursuant to a scheme or course of conduct within any 12-month period may be aggregated to determine the total value of trees, shrubs, grass, turf, plants, crops, or soil cut down, destroyed, or injured.
Quote the laws to him and watch him squirm!
Tracey
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This is not legal advice and you are not my client. Double check everything with your own attorney and your state's laws.
[This message has been edited by Tracey (edited April 18, 2000).]
