05-06-2013 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting Minutes

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