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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOR April 30, 1998 CITY of ANDOVER Board of Review Tuesday, April 30, 1998 Call to Order - 7:00 pm 1. Board of Review 2. Adjourn - - ... - -- .._._.._.~. ..__.~_ L'__'__" ... ._ CITY of ANDOVER ANDOVER BOARD OF REVIEW - APRIL 30, 1998 MINUTES The Board of Review held by the Andover City Council was called to order by Mayor Jack McKelvey on April 30, 1998,7:05 p.m., at the Andover City Hall, 1685 Crosstown Boulevard NW, Andover, Minnesota. Councilmembers present: Mike Knight, Ken Orttel Councìlmembers absent: Bonnie Dehn, John Kunza Also present: County Assessors Scott Varner and John Leone City Administrator, Richard Fursman Others Mr. Leone explained the item before the Council is the property valuations for taxes payable in 1999. Rosella Sonsteby, 4151141st Avenue NW, Parcels R30 32 43 0001, R29 32 24 33 0003, R3032 24 41 0003, R30 32 24 41 0002, R29 32 24 32 0011 Ms. Sonsteby wanted to talk about this year's taxes and left the meeting when she learned the meeting was about property valuations for taxes payable in 1999. She came back later to ask about the increased valuation of her property. She asked how the values could be raised when nothing in that area has been sold. Sewer and water is not available to her property. She asked if the value will keep increasing every year, as people are being taxed out of their property. Ms. Sonsteby also stated the tax rebate is a farce, as they should be lowering the taxes instead. This way they take everything away and then give some of it back. Mr. Leone stated they compared the recent sales of similar property. Land prices are increasing yearly, especially when sewer and water becomes available. They are not intending to tax people out of their property. They look strictly at market value of what that property would sell for at its highest and best use. Mr. Varner noted the tax rebate and tax laws need to be taKen up with the state legislators. No Council action was taken. Ann Sikora, lll77th Avenue, ROl 32 23 13 0001 Ms. Sikora noted all of the other people are able to retire, but farmers never retire She needs to continue working to pay the taxes. She lives off the land by having a garden, selling pumpkins and other produce, cutting wood and selling it, etc. The wetlands are supposed to be a benefit, but they don't benefit her because she can't do anything with them plus she pays taxes on them. Her property used to be classified as Green Acres, but that was removed. The - -.. -- ..-.----. ~......- ,-~.,_. . ... Andover Board of Review Minutes - April 30, 1998 Page 2 cutting of wood is no longer considered a crop. What does one do with 40 acres of trees? What other crop could she get from 40 acres of woods? Ms. Sikora stated it seems like the City is pushing the semors out of their land to let developers come in. She has a conservation program with a duck and cattle pond. They planted thousands of trees. The wetlands don't even show on the maps, but the water keeps rising to the point that the trees are dying out. She stated that isn't considered when she is taxed. The storm two years ago wrecked her garage when a tree fell on it, yet her taxes increased $247 that year. She noted the grapes that were planted, as well as the pear and plum trees. She has 30 chickens and wìll be ordering four pigs to put in the wetlands. She will never get City sewer and water out there because of all the wetland. She asked when will the yearly increases stop. Mr. Leone explained her taxes increased because she no longer farms the land, so the classification was changed from agricultural to residential. Mr. Varner suggested she" might want to consider a tax deferment program. Ms. Sikora did not wish to consider the tax deferment program as that simply passes the burden on to her children. She felt consideration should be given to those who have lived in the City for years and years, who first developed the land and planted the trees. She is tired of coming to the City year after year because her taxes keep going up. The rental house is 150 years old and her's is 100 year old with the original windows. Mr. Leone stated she should not see much of a tax increase in subsequent years. The biggest change was for the 1998 taxes because of the classification change. She should also get a property tax refund ITom the State. No Council action was taken. Dorothy Aasness, 16425 Hanson Boulevard NW, ROl 3224 14 0001 Ms. Aasness stated her taxes increased $2,000 this year, and she wasn't warned about it. She has a total of 92 acres. She stated the property across the street is stìll classified as agricultural and they only plant corn for the deer. Why wasn't that property reclassified? Mr. Leone explained because she is no longer farming, the classification was changed from agricultural to residential. The property value remains the same but the taxes increased. He also explained that property is valued at its highest and best use. If it is being farmed and generates money, it is classified as agricultural, and it might be able to qualifY for Green Acres. He did not have the information regarding the property across the street. Mr. Leone stated he will contact Ms. Aasness to look at her land and house. -----.-.... ----- ..---. -- ..- -.-_.._- ." -- - -. . Andover Board of Review Minutes - April 30, 1998 Page 3 Sophie Kotlowski Ms. Kotlowski asked if her taxes wìll increase if she paves her driveway. Right now her driveway is so sandy. Mr. Leone stated typically there will be a slight increase, but he didn't think it would be enough for her to worry about. No Council action was taken. Motion by Knight, Seconded by Orttel, to adjourn. Motion carried on a 3-Yes, 2-Absent (Dehn, Kunza) vote. The meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m. Respectfully submitted, \,~~~ Marcella A. Peach Recording Secretary ·_____m _ -..----. -" ..- -.~~.,-~ . -,. -... -~.