04-21-2004 Council Minutes Local Board of Appeals & Equalization

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• MINUTES OF THE ORONO LOCAL BOARD OF APPEALS AND EQUALIZATION MEETING Wednesday, April 21, 2004 7:00 o'clock p.m. Davy responded that he hoped that adjustments on property values were made every year the way they should have been, but he cannot guarantee that there would be no large increases because, if sales ratios dictate, they will be faced with making higher adjustments than the average. Ms. Torkelson stated that in comparison to their neighbors' property values, with their many improvements, the value has not been raised (per the Internet) which also lists it as being built in 1947. Davy explained that 1947 is the original construction date and that there is an effective age which is more reflective of the building with improvements. He offered to provide the effective age to the Torkelson's. Davy indicated that, if building permits were issued and if viewed by the assessors and added for improvements, the amounts should be shown on the Internet. Mayor Peterson encouraged Ms. Torkelson to contact the city staff to get information about what can and cannot be built on their 50' lot. Mayor Peterson confirmed that Davy would contact the Torkelsons to get answers to their questions. Murphy added that they need to understand that 50' lots are selling for $500,000 in the current market. He concurred with Mayor Peterson that the city is not interested in forcing people out of town due to the increasing property values. • Mr. Torkelson concluded by repeating his position that their smaller lot is less valuable because of the site improvement limitations on it. Mayor Peterson encouraged them to contact the city staff and perhaps find there is more that can be done on their lot than they assume. Mayor Peterson thanked the Torkelsons for presenting their information. Mr. and Ms. Torkelson expressed their thanks to the Board. 6) Gerald and Valerie Walsh, 180 Big Island, 23- 117 -23 23 0036 Mr. Walsh questioned why their property is classified as residential when it actually is a seasonal property. Davy questioned if it had ever been residential before they purchased the property. Mr. Walsh replied it had not been a residence and that the city has it classified as seasonal. Mr. Walsh asked at what point an improvement is added to the property valuation, noting an $8,000 improvement is on the property statement and wondered if it was a value from the septic system installation. Mr. Walsh further asked that if the cabin shell is not included in the value, there still was more than a 40% property value increase on top of last year's over 40% increase. He expressed a concern about what the end value of the cabin will be when it is done and fully on the property statement. • Murphy asked if the property was on the interior of Big Island. Mr. Walsh replied that the property was a lakeshore parcel with about 100' of lakeshore, with a $194,000 residential value on an angle lot about 200' at it deepest point. Page 9 of 11