HomeMy WebLinkAbout05-06-2013 Local Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting MinutesBOARD OF REVIEW MINUTES May 6, 2013
APPROVED
1 CITY OF LINO LAKES
2 MINUTES
3 BOARD OF APPEAL
4
5 DATE : May 6, 2013
6 TIME STARTED : 5:30 p.m.
7 TIME ENDED : 6:40 p.m.
8 MEMBERS PRESENT : Council Member Stoesz, Roeser (arrived at 5:40),
9 Rafferty, O'Donnell and Mayor Reinert
10 MEMBERS ABSENT : none
11
12 Staff members present: City Administrator Jeff Karlson; Community Development Director Michael
13 Grochala; Public Safety Director John Swenson; City Planner Katie Larsen; City Clerk Julie Bartell
14
15 The council had continued the Board of Appeal meeting on April 22, 2013 to this date for the purpose
16 of continuing discussion of the following two appeals. In addition to City staff, two representatives of
17 the Anoka County Assessor's Office were present: Appraiser Peggy Nordrum and Randy DeJong.
18
19 Peter Hitchcock, 448 Tanglewood Drive, Shoreview regarding his property in Lino Lakes
20 located at 355 Ash Street and the two acre lot next door — Mr. Hitchcock's appeal relates to the
21 valuation of his property. There is a large difference between what he paid for this property and the
22 value attached by the county. It was sold as a distressed property and also has some building issues.
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24 Appraiser Nordrum reported that after review of Mr. Hitchcock's appeal, she is recommending that
25 the two property valuations be reduced as follows:
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27 The reductions that will be in place for taxes payable 2014 are as follows:
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29 PIN 31- 31 -22 -44 -0006
30 Previous Estimate Market Value = Land $74,700; Buildings $46,600 (Total $121,300)
31 Changed to = Land $63,000; Buildings $7,200 (Total $70,200)
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33 PIN 31- 31 -22 -44 -0007
34 Previous Estimate Market Value = Land only $83,000
35 Changed to = Land only $63,000.
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37 Council Member O'Donnell moved to approve the reductions as indicated. Council Member Rafferty
38 seconded the motion. Motion carried on a unanimous voice vote.
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40 Paul Johnson, Pine Acres Development Company — Mr. Johnson had explained at the initial
41 hearing that he and some partners bought property in Lino Lakes many years ago; he believes it was
42 platted around 1974. At one point he was advised by former City Administrator Randy Schumacher
43 to do an overplat, which he did and had recorded. The property is being charged by the plat even
44 though it can't be developed anytime soon mainly because it is far away from water and sewer
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.
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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
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BOARD OF REVIEW MINUTES
APPROVED
May 6, 2013
90
91 ADJOURN
92
93 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
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95 These minutes were considered and approved at the regular Council Meeting on May 28, 2013.
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Jeff
, Mayor