HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-11-1995 Board of Review Reconvened MinutesA It
MINUTES OF THE RECONVENED BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING
•
HELD MAY 11, 1995
ROLL
The Orono Reconvened Board of Review met on the above date with the following members
present: Acting Mayor Gabriel Jabbour, Councilmembers J. Diann Goetten and Charles Kelley.
Mayor Edward Callahan and Councilmember JoEllen Hurr were absent. The following represented
City staff Acting City Administrator John Gerhardson, City Assessors Rolf Erickson, Dave Wilde,
Gail Navratil, Lisa Mott and Recorder Lin Vee. The meeting was called to order by Acting Mayor
Jabbour at 7:00 p.m.
Acting Mayor Jabbour explained that if property owners did not agree with the valuation of the
Assessor after contact with him that they have the right to appear before the Reconvened Board of
Review. The next step would be to appeal the tax valuation to Hennepin County by contacting the
Hennepin County Assessor before June 12, 1995. He reminded residents that the City receives the
same amount of money from taxes regardless of the individual tax valuation and that the City is
mandated by law to stay within 93.5% of the sales from last year.
Carol Parrish. 1995 West Farm Road. 27- 118 -23 43 0013 - She did not think they could speak before
the Board at tonight's meeting so a letter has also been submitted. She summarized her appeal by
• stating that they had a 20.6% increase in the last year and felt this amount was out of line with the
neighborhood and community. She thought a clerical error had been made. They live on a 2 acre
lot that has wetlands and a creek. No expansion in the use of the property can be made because of
these conditions. Since the first Board of Review on April 26, 1995, Parrish has found that some
valuations were reduced because of limitations on the use of property, setbacks and wetlands. They
feel their property would qualify for a reduction under these conditions. Jabbour noted the majority
of the increase is on the house. Erickson explained that there was no record of the finished basement
which increased the house value. Parrish responded that the basement was roughed -in when they
purchased the property in 1990. It was completed in the last year. Erickson felt there may have
been a misunderstanding when reviewing the property because only the yard was reviewed at the
request of Parrish. Erickson suggested Parrish appeal to the County for a County Assessor review.
Erickson felt the property was fairly valued. Goetten also urged Parrish to appeal to the County.
Jabbour noted that he would have to rely on recommendations from the Assessor as he is not
familiar with all properties in the City. Kelley added that he felt the valuation was fair in looking
at the comparables and the size of the house.
Willard Shull, 1125 Spring Hill Road, 26- 118 -23 43 0004 - He sent a letter to the Board prior to its
first meeting. He received a response from the Assessor stating the value was correct as appraised
after the Assessor's review. He asked for an explanation. Kelley noted that this area was in the
quadrant that was physically appraised this year. Erickson responded that he had reviewed this
property a couple years ago because of the conservation easement. Wilde appraised it in April of
1993 and actually came in the house. The land went up from $163,000 to $170,000. Erickson
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MINUTES OF THE RECONVENED BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING
• HELD MAY 11, 1995
explained that valuations were refigured based on average property increases in the area. On this
particular property, the land stayed the same but the house value increased 3.3% where the overall
City average was 7 %. Erickson noted that properties throughout Orono are continuing to sell for
more. Shull noted that 90% of his shoreline is dedicated to the Orono Conservation District. Shull
questioned the impact of the proposed Highway 12 route and felt sales were starting to stagnate
because of it. He also questioned if there were any comparable properties to his. Erickson explained
that they use sales within the entire City, not just a comparable property, and apply rates to all
properties. Erickson stated they assume buyers are knowledgeable and are aware of highway
proposals when purchasing property. Kelley felt that Highway 394 actually increases property
values in the western suburbs because accessibility to downtown is faster and easier. Jabbour added
that development has continued along proposed routes even though the Highway 12 route has not
been resolved. Jabbour questioned why his house value increased but not the land as it is a dated
home and houses in Jabbour's area were actually torn down. Erickson stated that almost all
properties would show some increase in value in Orono. Kelley commented that Legislators are the
key to changing the system. He noted that the School District takes the largest amount of tax dollars
and should probably be responsible for valuations rather than the City who receives the least amount
of tax dollars. Members of the Board urged Shull to appeal to the County. Erickson noted that the
County does an actual appraisal with comparables. He added that some 2 acre lots on Watertown
Road are selling for $100,000 to $120,000 and Shull's property is 7 acres. Shull stated that these
• large property increases will change the Orono community.
Ward Edwards 2474 Carman Street 20- 117 -23 12 0027 - He commented that he has written two
letters regarding his situation. He built his home in 1990 and has been before the Board on two
previous occasions and had the valuation reduced. Since he has had a $32,000 increase he is asking
for consideration again. He explained that his neighbor's house has always been valued higher than
his but this year his was considerably higher. A neighborhood realtor thought the valuation of
$340,000 was high and that $325,000 would be more realistic. Jabbour noted that most of the
increase was in the land as the house only went up $4,300 of the $32,000. Erickson responded that
one of his assessors did the valuation on the property and they were familiar with the property as it
has previously been before the Board. A house down the road (3585 Frederick Street) was used as
a comparable that sold for $350,000. Kelley asked how Ward would compare his and his neighbor's
(Richard Edwards) property. They have about the same amount of Lakeshore and the lots are about
the same size. Ward's land is valued at $212,000 whereas Richard's is valued at $220,000. Richard's
house was built in 1965 whereas Ward's was built in 1990. Wilde noted that front footage on
lakeshore is not the only consideration in land value but also the characteristics of the land. Kelley
felt the land value was reasonable. Erickson noted that this range of property is in demand. He used
a comparable on Frederick street that sold for $350,000 that was built in 1966 with 1700 s.f. and
only 23' of lakeshore. Members urged Edwards to contact the County.
Erickson stated that there was an additional list of names from phone calls that had been contacted.
• They were told of their option to appeal to the County.
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MINUTES OF THE RECONVENED BOARD OF REVIEW MEETING
0 HELD MAY 11, 1995
It was moved by Kelley, seconded by Goetten, to approve the recommendations of the property
valuations of the City Assessor. Ayes 3, nays 0.
Written Appeals Submitted:
Henry W. See, 1389 Orono Lane, #02- 117 -23 34 0005
Raymond J. Hoffman, 1000 Tonkawa Road, #08- 117 -23 12 0005
Carol and Richard Parrish, 1995 West Farm Road, 927- 118 -23 43 0013
Ward E. Edwards, 2474 Carman Street, #20- 117 -23 12 0027
Appeals by Phone Calls:
Gretchen Blount, 1390 Cherry Place, #08- 117 -23 32 0023
Paul Bozonie, 1755 Fagerness Point Road, #17- 117 -23 22 0028/0029
Jeff Martin, 760 Hunt Farm Road, #31- 118 -23 110010
Mrs. Karlen, 630 Deborah Drive, #31- 118 -23 22 0008
Grady Newman, 1655 Bohn's Point Road, #17- 117 -23 110002
Bill Fox, 1065 West Ferndale, 902- 117 -23 43 0021
Richard Cherba, 1340 Vine Place, #07- 117 -23 42 0031
is Richard Sachse, 2927 Farview Lane, #04- 117 -23 34 0010
Al Richie & Marilyn Richie, 905 Tonkawa Road, #08- 117 -23 210012
Kurtis Greenley, 1485 Long Lake Boulevard, #35- 118 -23 22 0001
Henry See, 1389 Orono Lane, #02- 117 -23 34 0005
Doug Boll, 4775 North Shore Drive, #07- 117 -23 32 0022
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ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by Goetten, seconded by Kelley, to adjourn the Reconvened Board of Review at 7:43
p.m.
Gab 'el Jabbour, Acting ayor