[sltkr]

This could have been avoided by allocating the private lots in groups of 2x3 as part of 3x4 rectangles, like so (each "##" is aone 1x1 lot):

    +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
    |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
    +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
    |  |##|##|  |##|##|  |##|##|  
    +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
    |  |##|##|  |##|##|  |##|##|  
    +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
    |  |##|##|  |##|##|  |##|##|  
    +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
    |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
    +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
    |  |##|##|  |##|##|  |##|##|  
    +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
    |  |##|##|  |##|##|  |##|##|  
    +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
    |  |##|##|  |##|##|  |##|##|  
    +--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--+--
    |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |

This would allow the public to retain 50% of the land, while making sure people are able to pass private lots without trespassing, as well as allowing individual lot owners to access their land without trespassing.

[noitpmeder]

But you see, when these rule were being framed bad actors PLANNED on exploiting the checkerboard to expand their effective control. (Or at least it seems so obvious of an issue that I have to imagine _someone_ was scheming along these lines).

[zczc]

The initial idea was to first sell 50% of the land and then sell the other 50%. [1] Thanks to corner crossing, the checkerboard pattern made sure that owners of the first batch wouldn't be cut off from their access by buyers of the second batch.

[1] From TFA: "This checkerboard pattern allowed the government to keep all the undeveloped sections in between and wait for them to go up in value before turning around and selling them to developers".

[rtkwe]

I think that's more than likely just a fig leaf proposed for and by the people that planned to try to only have to by ~50% of the land they actually wanted to enclose. So much of this land is too far away from anything for much meaningful development.