SEEKING THE RULE OF THUMB ON VALUATIONS
ALL OF VICTORIA WENT UP 7%
For the first time in recent history, more than one or two residents of Victoria showed up at the annual Truth in Taxation in Victoria hearing on April 12^th  to ex-press dissatisfaction with the market value placed on their properties by the Carver County Assessor.
Carver County Assessor Angie John-son was available that evening to answer questions.  She said that the market values of homes are determined by the prices received in sales of similar neighborhood properties that year. 
She said there were 104 residential sales in Victoria in 2006 and values were up about 7% over the previous year.  "The whole city went up 7%," she said.
Regarding Victoria properties, the assessor stated, "We received 52 phone calls from concerned citizens.  We re-duced values on five properties."
Five Victoria residents spoke up at the April 12^th Victoria hearing; others submitted written appeals.  Each resident has an opportunity to also address the Carver County Board of Appeals.
A resident at Ridge Ponds Drive in Deer Run stated they built their stucco home in 1996 and there have been bad moisture problems.  "We're trying to sue our builder," he said.  "We're asking that our home valuation be reduced by $276,000 because that's the cost of our repairs."
Carver County Assessor Angie Johnson only agreed to a 16% reduction, however.  She explained that a court case last year reduced the valuation in a home with similar problems by 16%, and that she's been basing other similar cases on that case.
Said the Deer Run resident, "All of our windows had been installed wrong.  The paper was reverse lapped and actually funneled water into the house ... The 16% was based on only one case ... The fair thing to do is not apply a standard percen-tage to each property." 
Another resident on the east side of Lake Virginia spoke of his home which is 120 years old, located on a gravel road with no sewer and no water, but has 155 feet of lakeshore.  Councilmember Jim Paulsen said, "The value of your lake-shore is in the land, not the house." 
A Victoria resident at Auburn Drive, also a lakeshore resident, referred to the difference in property valuations between his property and others on Lake Auburn.  "Lakes and lakeshores are unique," he said.  "Every lake is a different commu-nity.  We have a dirt road and we're all on well water.  A home similar to mine on the lake just sold for $450,000 yet mine is valued at $512,000." 
Other residents spoke or submitted written notification appeals.  Stated Coun-cilmember Jim Paulsen about being asked to make important recommendations on valuations with such short notice, "This is nuts.  We don't even have time to see their properties."
Agreed Councilmember Richard Tieden, "The system is flawed."
Said Councilmember Kim Roden, "I'd like to know the rule of thumb.  It seems that the Carver County assessments have been pretty aggressive, in spite of the housing market."
Mayor Mary Thun made a motion to continue the appeal to the April 26^th city council meeting.  She asked that city staff meet with the auditor and the residents in the meantime.

On April 26^th Victoria City Council voted unanimously to accept the County Assessor's recommendations regarding each of the Victoria properties.  Some requests for market devaluations were approved; some were denied.

NO AURA FOR AURORA
AT THE CARPENTER BUILDING IN VICTORIA
On April 12^th Council had before them a request for an off-sale liquor license for a shop known as Aurora Wine and Spirits II proposed to be located in the vacant C.H. Carpenter Lumber Building on Hwy 5 in downtown Victoria.  Also on April 12^th Council was informed that the application had been withdrawn.
That evening Dan Biersdorf, an attorney, spoke at the podium.  "I am here on behalf of Carpenter Lumber," he said.  "Welsh Companies is trying to help market the property.  The application has been withdrawn because of a condition about access."
In the past, there were at least three accesses to that property, one directly onto Hwy 5 between Victoria Drive ("Main Street") and the nearby alley.
"This is a retail site," said Mr. Biers-dorf.  "We have to go forward now and market the site.  We'd like to hear from the Council.  If this access to Hwy 5 could be resolved, the applicant would be will-ing to come back.  If two access points will be denied, that will dramatically change the purchase price."
Stated City Attorney Mike Norton, "This discussion is not germane to the application."
Said Councilmember Kim Roden, "I'm incredulous that the access issue was a mystery to anybody.  Access to Hwy 5 was an issue to Carpenter for the four years that I've been on the council."
Michael and Patricia Farnham of Bloomington, owners of Aurora Liquors, had requested approval of the off-sale liquor license.  Councilmembers voted to deny the liquor license and to deny the conditional use permit.
Council directed staff to work with Welsh and Carpenter and their concerns and get a report back to Council before the next regularly scheduled council meet-ing.  The Victoria Planning Commission had discussion about the number of liquor licenses in a small city.

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