05-28-13 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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BOARD OF REVIEW MINUTES May 6, 2013 DRAFT 2 infrastructure. At this point the taxes are more than $17,000 per year. He believes that, because the 45 pro perty is really undevelopable for a long time, it isn’t worth anything near the current valuation. 46 47 Community Development Director Grochala had been directed to look at the property and assist Mr. 48 Johnson in a vacation or whatever would be necessary to ref lect the correct value of the property. He 49 explained that he understands that the property in question is not being valued as a whole clear parcel 50 but is difficult to bring it back to that p osition and would also need to include vacation of roadway 51 plans. 52 53 Mr. Johnson recalled that he and his partners bought this property 45 years ago. He distributed a copy 54 of a letter from 1992 from former City Administrator Randy Schumacher to the Anoka County 55 Assessor ’s Office explaining the possibility of future devel opment of the Pine Oaks property and 56 requesting a reevaluation of the property valuation. Mr. Johnson asked tha t the City and County 57 honor the direction of the letter since the property is still quite far from any development plans. 58 59 The council discuss ed the history of the property, including the fact that it was a part of a proposed 60 development (Nature’s Refuge) that didn’t materialize. Mayor Reinert asked if there is any value to 61 the plat t ing that already exists for this property. Mr. Grochala s aid that he can’t see any value at this 62 point. 63 64 Mr. Joh nson noted that he would like to receive tax aba tement on the property . Ms. Nordrum 65 discussed her knowled ge of the history of this property and it’s valuation . She explained the range of 66 values that t he County is looking at and how the properties could be divided. She added that the 67 Board can act as they choose but whatever the action that is taken won’t impact taxes until payable 68 2014. Also there are special assessments involved. 69 70 Mr. Grochala added that Mr. Johnson could petition the city to vacate the streets that were planned 71 long ago. 72 73 Mayor Reinert asked Mr. Johnson if he would accept the division of property offered by the County 74 Appraiser that would offer approximately a one -half reduction i n valuation , and Mr. Johnson 75 responded that he would prefer that the taxes be abated. Mayor Reinert noted that the council should 76 be certain t hat the current plats are unbuildable before lowering the taxes to reflect that. Mr. 77 Grochala responded that the city’s zoning ordinance would call the property unbuildable . He added 78 that it would make sense for the city to see the plats go away . 79 80 The board concurred with the following action: 81 82 A reduction of the estimated market value payable in 2014 on seven parcels owned by Pine Acres 83 Development Company and that staff be directed to provide a list of those seven parcels and the 84 parcels for which the estimated market value was not decreased to Mr. Johnson. 85 86 Council Member Roeser moved to approve the reduc tion as indicated. Council Member O’Donnell 87 seconded the motion. Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote. 88 89