05-08-2000 Council Minutes Reconvened Board of Review

Home Browse Search

ORONO BOARD OF REVIEW RECONVENED MONDAY, MAY 8, 2000 1. Matt Nicoll of 160 Smith Avenue, #02- 117 -23 -21 -0029 continued could support his appraisal at $597,000. Special assessments are the burden of the seller, $597,000 is below what the house would sell for today, and a future hookup fee would not be a negative factor for a buyer in this price range. Mayor Jabbour stated that with a home with a perfectly functioning septic system, the owner is paying for two systems and one of them should be taken off the market price. Nicoll stated that if he were looking at a house that cost $400,000 and he knew that as soon as he closed on the house, he would be responsible for a $100,000 assessment, he would not close on that house. Therefore, the assessment does affect the potential sale of the property and the market value should be adjusted. Davy asked if the assessor should be adjusting for home equity loans too. Mayor Jabbour stated that he would not pick up someone else's tab when buying a property. • Mayor Jabbour moved, and Peterson seconded, that the Nicoll property's (#02- 117- 23 -21- 0029) market value be reduced by the sum of $25,000 to $572,000 based on fact that they have a full functioning septic system. Vote: Ayes 5, Nays 0. • 2. Mr. Otten of Otten Bros. Nursery Mr. Otten explained that the outlot behind the nursery has a proposed service road. The county has carried the road at a nominal fee of $200 because of the restrictions on it. Last year, when he added a loading dock, the value went from a nominal $200 to $40,000. The proposed value for this year is $50,000. Otten talked to Ray Shudy from the county and explained that the outlot is still a restricted easement. Otten stated that Orono has access to a well through the outlot and he still feels restricted as to its use. The rest of the property was also raised by $350,000. He is looking for relief on the service road. Mayor Jabbour stated that this is an unusual situation. If it's City land, he shouldn't pay taxes on it. Kelley stated that since the City hasn't made up its mind about the service road, he should be left alone. Peterson agreed. Kelley stated that this situation also reflects on Sid Reber's property. Mayor Jabbour stated that because Otten has limited use of the road, it should be kept at a nominal fee. Davy stated that it does have value because Otten is using it for his loading dock. Mayor Jabbour stated he understood that, but Otten's exclusive use is not by choice, it's simply because • the City hasn't decided what to do with the road. 2