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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOR May 5, 1983 ~ 01 ANDOVER BOARD Or REVIEW - MAY 5, 1983 MINUTES The Regular Board of Review for the City of Andover was called to order by Mayor Jerry Windschitl on !1ay 5, 1983, 7:00 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, lb85 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Anoka, Mi nnesota. Councilmen present: Elling, Knight, Lachinski, Orttel Councilmen absent: None Also present: County Assessor, Bob Weisbrich; City Clerk, P. K. Lindquist; and residents Mayor Windschitl explained the Board of Review deals with the valuation that would create next year's taxes. Any problem with this year's tax statement would have to be handled at the County abatement hearing. The following residents presented their cases: Mr. and Mrs. Ron Isaac, Z25 Andover Boulevard NW Mr. Isaac wanted to know how the valuation of the property was derived. He stated all the rooms on the first floor are not finished, as the bathroom is i ncomp lete. He feels the valuation is too high. He compiled a list of addresses within a two-mile radius that he teels are of equal value to his but their taxes are no where near his. Mr. Weisbrich reviewed the dimensions of the house, but showing it as being finished for the last several years. The house is graded at 6+, which is slightly above average construction. Mr. Isaac disagreed stating he will now have to spend another $1,000 to fix the problems caused by the green wood used in the construction of the house. Mr. Weisbrich also stated in comparison with his neighbors, the largest factor on this house is the square footage. Mr. Isaac's house is over 2,OUO square feet, but the average in that area is approximately 1,400 square feet. Because of the disagreement as to the quality of construction on the house and tne question of its being totally completed, it was agreed that Mr. Weisbrich will view tne parcel and make a recommendation. Lowell Larson, 1~221 Orchid Street NW Mr. Larson stated he talked with the County Assessor about his home, stating the basic problem is on the square footage. He built his house himself and did the subcontracting; and his assessed valuation is $50,UOO more than what the house cost him to build. He thought too much emphasis is placed on squ are footage. In looking at the table at the Assessor's office, it tops at 2,000 square feet and the cost per square foot continues to drop unti I it reaches that point. He felt the table should be extended because in his own experience the cost per square footage continues to go down as the square footage of the house increases because there is a lot of fixed costs in a house such as the well, the lot, the kitchen, etc. He felt he is getting penalized too heavily for square footage. The valuation on his home is $162,100. The other point he objected to was the property tax is not a linear tax, as the higher the tax bracket, the more percentage of taxes that are paid. Mr. Larson stated his house is very plain inside with only three bedrooms. He stated he didn't understand the valuation being more than the building cost for a house that is l~ years old. Board of Review May 5, 1983 - Minutes Page 2 (Lowell Larson, Continued) Mr. Weisbrich explained the homestead credit is on the average house of approximately $62,000 valuation. He stated there is no consideration for fixed costs on the larger houses, stating the market for such houses is rather unusual because those who can afford such a house many tlmes will build their own. He felt thatof all the large houses, if anything the valuation is lower than what the house could be sold for. The bottom line is whether or not Mr. Larson could receive $lb2,lOO for the house on the market, and Mr. Weisbrich stated he felt comfortable with that valuation. Mr. Welsbrich also stated with the new computer system the tables have been modified and extended for the larger-sized houses -- the costs per square foot still drops but not at the same rate as for a home of less than 2,000 square feet. In this case, Mr. Larson's valuation was ~178,OUO using the book method, and it was reduced to $162,lOU after it was run through the computer. When viewing the property, both he and the other appraiser graded the house at a 4, which is two steps above average. No Council action was taken. Philip Frederickson, 13641 Heather Street NW, Plat 65933, Parcel 15770 Mr. Frederickson complained about the taxes imposed on the property. He didn't feel a home in Andover where his is located should be taxed at $2,400. Since he's lived there in 1976, he never had a problem in his neighborhood until the park went in. Since the boat landing was done, he's had problems with kids coming through his year, has had to call the police three times but who did not respond until the next day, has had his garage broken into, and has had gas siphoned out of his son's car twice and his once. He fe It those who are not paying taxes there should not be using the lake. Council discussion was that there is no excuse for the police responding the next day to a call. He was asked to call the Mayor or the City Hall if that happens again. Discussion was also on doing something to eliminate people from going through Mr. Frederickson's property to get to the park. It was suggested the fence be extended further into the lake, probably another 12 to 14 feet. It was also thought that the fence should be extended more toward the road as well, possibly even past the right of way -- whatever is reasonable to discourage children from going through Mr. Frederickson's yard. Or plaot a hedge in front where the City thinks a fence shouldn't be, just so the children don't go through his yard. Mr. Frederickson also suggested the possibi ity of putting an entryway into the park between his house and Bunker Lake Boulevard so they don't have to go down the busy street to get into the park. Council agreed the City Engineer should be directed to see what can be done about extending the fence to eliminate this problem. No other Council action was taken. Mr. and Mrs. Richard Schwartz, 14704 Butternut Street NW Mr. Schwartz asked why his valuation increased $8,900 from last year, and all he put on was a new deck and a new roof. He stated it is a very poor quality house. He didn't feel his house was worth ~88,90U or that he could get that on the market today. He stated the quality of the house is terrible, the walls are cròoked, etc., and still felt the house was not worth what it is valued at. He aÎso complained that for the taxes paid, the snow plowing is poor, he has had problems with vandalism, etc. Board of Review May 5, 1983 - Minutes Page 3 (Mr. and Mrs. Richard Schwartz, Continued) Mr. Weisbrich stated that was part of the reassessment area last year; and after collecting all the data, that is the valuation arrived at. He reviewed the dimensions of the house, noting the grade is a 6-, just slightly less than average construction. There is no additional valuation placed on it as a result of it being a corner lot or because of the street improvement. Mr. Weisbrich felt the 6- grade is correct. It that grade was raised, it would be the only house in the area graded that low. Council explained that area of the City is contracted with Mr. Kraabel tor all the snow plowing, and they reviewed the low percentage of taxes that the City actually receives. No Council action was taken. Robert Nehring, 14122 Prairle Road NW, 32-24-33-002/55/025 Mr. Nehring wanted to know if his taxes were in line with his immediate neighbors, feeling his valuation was higher than those of his neighbors. Mr. Weisbrich reviewed the dimensions of the house and compared it with a few of his neighbors. The main reason for the higher valuation on Mr. Nehring's property is because he has more square footage and his basement is more extensively finished. Mr. Weisbrich stated his house is in line with those in the Smith's Rolling Oaks area. Mr. Nehring's house was bui It in 1957 and the depreciation factor is 1 percent per year until 1979. Mayor Windschitl also stated this year there was no increase in dollar valuation from a year ago unless there was new construction of some addition. The ratio study of market value to assessed valuation for Andover is 93 percent. No Council action was taken. (Councilman Lachinski stepped down to the aUdience.) Ted Lachinski, 13545 Jonquil Street NW Councilman Lachinski wanted to know if his valuation changed from last year to this year. Mr. Weisbrich stated it remained the same. Councilman Lachinski stated he had no problem with the assessed valuation but wanted the record to show that he believes the landfill and hazardous waste problems in the City are going to have a negative impact on the property va lues. He felt it is going to be increasingly difficult to sell in the City of Andover, and he expects Anoka County to reflect that in the assessed valua- tions. He also felt it goes beyond the area outlined by the State Health Department. Mr. Weisbrich stated they are aware of the problem in Andover. In talking with his supervisors, it has been agreed that if there is a moratorium placed on the property, they will have to do something right away. Otherwise they will keep a close eye on the market. Every month he receives certificates of value and they will be watching closerly, particularly in lower Andover, to see that the values aren't higher than the market rates. If houses are selling slower, in most cases they will be selling for less. Mr. Weisbrich explained when housing prices were increasing, they would see that effect and in most cases it took two to three years for the assessed valuation to catch up with the market value. Conversely, if something adverse is happening that could lower the values ot the property, it might take awhile for this to show. If they do see that having an affect on values, they will be the first to react to it. They will also be Board of Review May 5, 1983 - Minutes Page 4 (Ted Lachinski, Continued) looking at it on a city-wide basis, realizing it is public opinion that will determine the actual area affected. As of yet, they haven't seen any affect on market values. ìhe other problem is the landfill announcement came in March, 1983, and for their purposes, the year ended on January 1, 1983; so the valuations are as of that date. No Council action was taken. MOIION by Lachinski, Seconded by Orttel, that we continue the Local Board of Review to the next Regular Scheduled Council Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. Board of Review continued to May 17, 1983, 7:30 p.m. 8: 12 p.m. Respectfully submitted, ~~~~ Mar lla A. Peach Recor ing Secretary .