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HomeMy WebLinkAboutM092302 1820 Jefferson Street P.O. Box 1220 Port Townsend, WA 98368 James A. DeLeo William S. Marlow Ricbard A. Broden MINUTES SEPTEMBER 23, 2002 William S. Marlow Richard A. Broders James A. DeLeo Chairman Vice-Chairman Member Chairman William S. Marlow called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. in the presence of Vice-Chairman Richard A. Broders and Member James A. DeLeo. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Vice-Chairman Broders moved to approve the minutes of August 12, 13 and 14,2002. Member DeLeo seconded the motion which carried by a unanimous vote. HEARINGS Cynthia Hovind (Roberson) 1210 N. 'J'b Street Coos Bay, OR 97420 BOE: 02-44-LO PN: 951901105 Ms. Hovind (Roberson) was not present. Appraiser Peter Schuck represented the Assessor's office and was sworn in by Chairman Marlow. The property under appeal consists of four lots located in block 11 of the plat of Fowler's Park Addition in Port Townsend. Ms. Hovind stated on her petition that "I am asking the Assessor to reconsider the value of this property because the City has blocked the access road making these properties almost impossible to sell." Currently the property is assessed at $7,200. Ms. Hovind estimates the value to be $3,000. Mr. Schuck stated that the City closed the streets known as Cappy's Trails and constructed a fence which has blocked access to this parcel. It is the position of the City that they had the right to close the streets as they were never legally opened. He then reviewed several sales of properties in the area which also do not have access. In answer to a question from Vice-Chairman Broders, Mr. Schuck stated that the City closed the streets to prevent homeless individuals from inhabiting the area. Since the streets have been cleaned up and closed to the public, there is no longer any drug use in the area and it is not used as a garbage dump. Chairman Marlow asked if the streets could be petitioned to be opened? Mr. Schuck replied yes. After reviewing all the information submitted and hearing the testimony ofthe Assessor's representative, Chairman Marlow closed the hearing. The Board will conduct a physical inspection of the property and make a determination at a later date. Phone (360)385-9100 Fax (360)385-9382 jeftbocC@Co.jefl'erson.wa.us Board of Equalization Minutes - September 23, 2002 Pa2e: 2 Edward & Karole Evans 50 South Palmer Drive Port Townsend, W A 98368 BOE: 02-02-R PN: 938100405 Mr. and Mrs. Evans were present. Appraiser Peter Schuck represented the Assessor's office. Chairman Marlow explained the hearing process and swore them in. The property under appeal is a residential lot with a I-story house located at 50 S. Palmer Drive (Cape George Colony), Port Townsend. Mrs. Evans explained that the water view from their house has diminished with the construction of a new home directly in front of their property and yet they are being taxed for a full view. Photographs of the view before and after the construction of their neighbor's house were presented for review by the Board. Mrs. Evans commented that they would like to be present when the Board conducts the physical inspection of their property, in order for the Board members to access the back yard to see the view. Currently the property is assessed at $142,270 ($44,500 for the land and $97,770 for the improvements). The appellant's estimate of value is $100,000 (A breakdown between land and improvement values was not provided). Mr. Schuck does not contest that the appellants lost portions of their view when the neighboring house was constructed. In fact, he gave them a 10% reduction in the land value for the loss of view. Comparable property sales were reviewed which support the current assessed value. After reviewing all the information submitted and hearing the testimony of both parties, Chairman Marlow closed the hearing. The Board will conduct a property inspection and make a determination at a later date. Dwight & Marianne Hauptman, Trust 685 Ludlow Bay Road Port Ludlow, W A 98365 BOE: 02-48-R PN: 969 000 006 Mr. and Mrs. Hauptman were present. Appraiser Peter Schuck represented the Assessor's office. Chairman Marlow explained the hearing process and swore them in. The property under appeal is a 1 Yz -story house and a I-story guest house on approximately one acre located at 683/685 Ludlow Bay Road, Port Ludlow. Mr. Hauptman stated that they feel the value of their property is impaired. He explained that the previous owners purchased the property for $800,000 in September 2000. Subsequently, the previous owners discovered numerous undisclosed problems with the property and moved out. After moving out, the previous owners filed a lawsuit (copy attached to petition) in September 2001 against the individuals from whom they purchased the property. In March 2002 the appellants entered into a contract with the previous owners to purchase the property subject to due diligence. The previous owners were asking $525,000 for the property. The appellants conducted 2 1/2 months of due diligence which included consulting with Geo Tech engineers, structlrral engineers, contractors, rockery companies, septic design specialists, and representatives from both Jefferson County Community Development and the State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Mr. Hauptman noted that after meeting with Jefferson County and the State Department ofFish and Wildlife it was learned that there may be a stream running through the property. If that is the case, the appellants have been told by Jefferson County that the property is not fixable and that they will not permit any work on the property and that the structlrre would have to be torn down. If that happens the property will have no value. The appellants asked Kevin Miller, of Windermere Realty in Port Ludlow to do a comparative analysis. Mr. Miller indicated that the property, if in good condition, was worth between $700,000 and $725,000. Given the known problems with the property he suggested they offer $425,000. The appellant's estimate of the costs to repair the rock wall, Board of Equalization Minutes - September 23, 2002 Pa2e: 3 foundation, driveway, drains, water well, siding, electrical and plumbing, range from $193,000 to $222,000, so they made an offer of $500,000 to purchase the property which the sellers accepted. The evidence presented supports that they are clearly an unobligated buyer which is a key determinant of market value. Considering the many problems with the property and the documemed evidence provided, the appellants believe that the purchase price of $500,000 reflects the negative impact on the value of the property and therefore, represents fair market value for this parcel. An independent analysis and photographs of the damage were also presented. Mr. Schuck stated that he has no comments. After reviewing all the information submitted and hearing the testimony of both parties, Chairman Marlow closed the hearing. The Board will conduct a physical inspection of the property and make a determination at a later date. Meeting adjourned. A~t:. ~dfi.c er JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION / . . /~illiam smWft,' \\T'fha~rman / "-:.L::;:---.)--" ..' \\.. .. C_J..,.~L'-..--- Richard A. Broders, Vice-Chairman ~ j \ .., /~ ---.J/ ,... <1~L ~I),c ,).L--<) e~)\.~~eo,11ernber V