After almost a month of waiting, Barbara Bell finally has her answer from the Assessment Appeal Board.
A house owned by Bell in the Hees Estates subdivision has been at the centre of controversy since the hill behind it began to slip. In addition to filing a lawsuit against several parties over the situation, Bell also appealed the tax assessment of the property.
The appeal’s board decision, which was rendered Nov. 24, was not to Bell’s satisfaction.
“The original assessment value was $382,410 and the Assessment Appeal Board valued my property at $199,140,” Bell said.
She said she maintains that the property has no value at all, because she can’t sell it in its current state.
The written appeal board decision, a copy of which was given to Bell, states a detailed account of their findings. However, Bell said she also disagrees with some of those.
“The board notes that as of Dec. 31, 2010, the property was inhabited by the complainant and was connected to utilities,” the report reads.
However, Bell countered, “There are all kinds of documents in my disclosure package that evidenced that I evacuated my family out of this residence in May 2010. As far as the utilities being connected, the Town of Athabasca disconnected the water services at this residence in June, 2010.”
But the board’s decision states that it reviewed all the evidence and could not find any proof of the property being uninhabitable on Dec. 31, 2010.
Bell said the following the appeal board’s decision, she received a cheque from the Town of Athabasca for $1,790.52.
“This was for the reimbursement of my property taxes on Nov. 20, 2011, and they advised me that they would be reimbursing me for the cost of filing an appeal under a separate cheque,” Bell said.
In the report there are a list of six points to which Bell and the Assessment Appeal Board agree: there needs to be a retaining wall built on the property; there are cracks in the foundation of the house; the garage floor slopes toward the house; the land on the property slopes towards the house; there has been water seepage into the basement; and there is pressure on the basement wall that caused bowing.
“The respondent acknowledged that there are problems with the property,” the report reads. “The slope on the property has eroded, but to date it has not collapsed. No geotechnical studies have been undertaken as yet and consequently no one can say with any degree of certainty what condition the slope is currently in.”
Bell said she is considering her right to appeal the decision with the Court of Queen’s Bench.
Bell also suggested that other Hees Estates properties have also been devalued.
“I sincerely hope that every property owner in Hees Estates stands up to the Town of Athabasca and appeals their property taxes in June, 2012.”
