05-30-1984CITY OF RICHFIELD, MINNESOTA
LOCAL BOARD OF REVIEW
MAY 30, 1884
The meeting of the Richfield Board of Review was called to
order at 7:05 p.m. by Mayor Hamilton.
Members Present: Bunee, Kirsch, Ludeman, Priebe, Mayor
Hamilton, and citizen appointees Lawrence Emond and John Janski.
Mayor Hamilton announced that the Local Board of Review was
convened, pursuant to state law, in order to consider appeals
from property owners in Richfield concerning the valuation
established for their property. Ron Rankin, Assistant City
Manager/Administrative Services Director, told the Board that
all property had an estimated market value established by the
Assessing Division as of January 2, 1984. Overall, residential
property values in Richfield increased by approximately 1.2~
over 1983 values. He noted that properties which were
physically reappraised received reductions and increases, with
no overall trend to those values. Rankin said the Richfield
property assessment is conducted through a contract with
Hennepin County, supervised by the Administrative Services
Department. He introduced Larry Miller and Ken Born, members of
the Hennepin County Assessing staff assigned to the City of
Richfield.
Rankin said property valuation notices were mailed to
Richfield property owners in late April, and the notices
requested property owners to contact the City Assessors office
- - -- - regarding questions-or- to schedu-fie- a-n appearance- before the
Board of Review. Prior to the commencement of the meeting, only
two property owners had scheduled appearances, but others had
expressed an interest in making an appearance.
Mayor Hamilton called on Dr. Renneke, 7533 Sheridan Avenue,
to make his appeal to the Board.
Dr. Renneke quoted a state statute regarding the need for
Local Boards of Review to consider the value of comparable
properties in making their determinations. He asked for a
reduction in value from that set by the Assessor, and reviewed
a lengthy history of values which had been set for his property
and his previous appeals from values established by the Assessor.
Dr. Renneke read from a prepared statement outlining his appeal.
He requested a residential valuation for his property, since he
did not believe the dental office addition added any resale
value.
Larry Miller said the 1983 value for Dr. Renneke~s
property was $96,200 and the 1984 value is $96,600, an increase
of $400. Miller reviewed values of comparable property, and
commented on the difficulty in establishing value on an
residential property with a dental office.
John Janski said that combination offices do sell
periodically, although there are not a lot of them. He said he
believed the Assessor's square foot values have tried to take
into account the fact that the office is not as valuable.
Discussion followed concerning the location of the dentist
office, and the extent of increases made for Dr. Renneke's
property.
Dr. Renneke said he thinks his house is worth approximately
$85,000, and that the office does not add any value to the
property.
Priebe noted that market value is not determined by the use
of the property, but would be paid by a buyer of the property.
Bunce noted that previously the city had reduced the value, and
it had been raised by the Hennepin County Board of Review.
Motion by Ludeman, second by Priebe to leave the value for
Dr. Renneke's property at 7533 Sheridan at $96,600, the ~iaiue
established by the City Assessor. Kirsch, Ludeman, Priebe,
Hamilton, Emond and Janski voted "aye", Bunbe voted "no". Motion
carried .
The next person to appear before the Board was Mr. Sid
Sanford, 7000 Portland Avenue.
Mr. Sanford said his value had increased from 1983 by
approximately 12.5, and he thinks the value has been over-
inflated in the last several years. He further noted the
difficulty of retired people and those on fixed incomes keeping
up with property taxes. He said he believes the value on his
property should be approximately $50,000.
Mayor Hamilton asked about the impact of traffic on the
value of Mr. Sanford's property.
Mr. Emond said a location on a busy street will have an
impact on the value, and that this should be taken into account.
Discussion followed concerning the location of the property,
lot size, and various characteristics of the property related to
its value.
Mr. Emond said that 5-b$ economic depreciation should be
taken into account because of the traffic impact.
Motion by Bunce, second by Ludeman, to reduce the value
established for Mr. Sanford's property at 7000 Portland Avenue
South from $83,500 to $78,500. All voted aye, Motion carried.
The next person to appear before the Board was Mr. Larry
Wozniczka, 6744 Wentworth Avenue South.
Mr. Wozniczka said that a value of $95,400 was set for both
the 1884 and 1983 assessments, he wished to appeal both. Rankin
noted that it would not be possible under the law for Mr.
Wozniczka to appeal the 1983 value, but the Board could consider
the value set for 1984.
Mr. Wozniczka said he had an appraisal from a r.ealtor which
suggested a lower value for his property. He said he thought a
fair value for the property would be approximately $90,000.
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Larry Miller reviewed the characteristics of the property
taken into account in the valuation. He gave a speci.fie
description of the property characteristics for consideration
by the Board members.
Priebe noted that the overall average increase was greater
than 1°6, but Mr. Wosnicska had been given no increase from 1983
to 1984. He said it would be hard to decrease the value when
nearly all other properties have increased.
Mr. Janski discussed the gross square foot area of the house
as related to the value set by the Assessor, and said he does
not believe the property is over-valued.
Motion by Ludeman, second by Priebe, to leave the value of
$95:400 for Mr. Wosnicska~s property at 6744 Wentworth Avenue
South as established by the City Assessor. All voted aye,
Motion carried.
The next person to appear was Mr. Jay Olson, 6644 Elliot
Avenue.
Mr. Olson said his concern was about the value for property
he plans to buy being in line with other property in the
neighborhood. He said a value had been set for 1984 of
$107,400.
He noted that the house had previously been through a fire.,
and said he thinks the value should be in the range of $94-
95 , 000 . .
Larry Miller said he had conducted a review appraisal of the
property today, and had reduced the value from $107,400 to
$102,300.
Discussion followed concerning the expected sale of the
property t•o Mr. Olson, and the size and characteristics of the
property.
Motion by Ludeman, second by Priebe, to have the value of
the property at 6644 Elliot Avenue remain at $102,300. as revised
by the City Assessor.
Discussion followed by Mr. Emond and Mr. Janski concerning
comparisons of this property and a 2-story house discussed
earlier by the .Board. They believed it may be appropriate to
consider a slight reduction in the value of the property. The
motion and second were withdrawn.
• Motion by Ludeman, second by Priebe, to adjust the value of
property at 6644 Elliot from $102,300 to $100,000. All voted
aye, Motion carried.
The next persons to appear were Ben and Doris Van Campen,
6615 Lakeshore Drive, Unit 701.
Mrs. Van Campen.said that they are not protesting their
taxes, but did not understand how the value had been calculated
for their property, especially regarding the amounts paid for
garage space at the Lake Shore Drive Condominium building.
After further discussion, the Board requested the Assessing
Division to meet with Mr. and. Mrs. Van Campers and better
describe to them how the value of their property is calculated
for tax purposes. Mr. Miller said he would do this.
Motion by Ludeman, second by Priebe to adjourn the meeting
of the Richfield Board of Review. All voted aye, Motion
carried.
No other persons wished to appear before the Board.
p.m.
The meeting of the Board of Review was adjourned at $:30
Date Approved; July 23, 1984
~~
onald Rankin Acting City Clerk
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