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Minutes
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
Monday, April 3, 2023
9:00 AM
107 NORTH KENT STREET, WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA
ATTENDEES:
Board Members Present: Theo Theologis, Jake Carpenter, Betsy Brumback, Scott
Strosnider, Bradley Comstock
Board Members Absent:
Staff present: Kelly Fultz
Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 9:03 AM
In Person:
9:15 Map #55F-2-1-64 - no one showed, no information on appeal form
9:30 Map #55C-10-3-33 - canceled
9:45 240 Fredericktowne Dr (Map# 74B-3-1-105) Mr. Hughlett shared his concerns for his
assessment value being a 37.5% increase. Discussion regarding the tax rate not being the
counter balance for high assessments. Mr. Hughlett feels the assessor has unjustly applied a
high fair market value to his home and neighborhood. He shared that he appealed and stated
that was denied. An adjustment was made by the assessors based on the patio size. The
Board compared Mr. property to other similar properties in his neighborhood, and
determined that his property is being assessed equitably.
11:00 AM - Spring Arbor Winchester VA (Map #53-A-82) Assisted living facility, 76 units build
in 2010. 15.4 million in May, 2022. The Board evaluated the information shared, and
compared this property to other similar style facilities within the County and determined that it
is being assessed equitably. No change made.
11:30 AM - 2273 Hunting Ridge Rd (Map #21-6-3) - Phone call with Mr. Carlson, homeowner.
Main concern is that they have lived in the home for 14 years, and the assessment seems
very drastic. 6-figure increase in assessment when no improvements were made. In reviewing
the notes about the home, reviewing the details shared by Mr. Carlson about his home, and
comparing to the other sales he shared (which were from 2021), the Board compared his
property to those. Ultimately, the Board changed the condition rating to average and made an
adjustment to the homesite due to access, reducing the assessed value from $694,000 to
$660,700.
11:45 AM - (Map #69-A-43) -Mr. & Mrs. Fuog came in to share about their property. Log cabin
on property is uninhabitable, they were given the home and relocated and rebuilt it on this site.
They have no electricity, well, or septic on the property, and no finishes or walls inside.
Building in his opinion is being overassessed, more of a shell or shed. Owner stated that it
was permitted as a storage building. Board asked the assessor to pull the permit and do a
little back end research Board discussed possibly removing the homesite or adding some
functional depreciation. Will revisit with further info & permit when the assessor brings that
back to us.
Board adjourned at 12:00 PM for lunch
Board reconvened at 12:30 PM
In-Person
12:30 PM - 741 Warrior Dr, Secure Store (Map #75-A-104I) - Mr. Duncan shared sales price
and concern for assessed value of the land. He described the property and project. Board
discussed limited uses for that land, even though it is zoned B-2. The Board compared this
parcel to the other self-storage facilities in Stephens City and determined that an adjustment
to the land value was necessary. Assessed value was reduced from $2,269,700 to
$1,501,200.
1:00 PM - 3109 Northwestern Pike (Map #52-A-104) Mrs. Bradley phone appointment - tried
calling two times, no answer. No information on appeal paperwork.
1:15 PM - 9413 N Frederick Pike (Map #06-A-74) - Mr. Kozicki - no one showed and there
was no paperwork in the appeal.
2:45 PM - 2588 Double Church Rd (Map #93-4-4) - Mr & Mrs Bakos - no one showed and
there was no paperwork in the appeal.
Follow Up:
205 Whimsy Ln - Board had requested the assessor visit the property and measure. Upon
doing so, the assessor noted the square footage was inaccurate, so the tax record was
updated to reflect the accurate square footage (from 2604 to 2011). This adjusted her
assessed value from $598,900 down to $519,100.
161 Shannon Ct - Board had requested the assessor visit the property and measure. Upon
doing so, the assessor noted the square footage of the basement, the finished portion of the
basement, and the building space were inaccurate and updated those to reflect accurate
values which decreased the assessed value from $1,101,800 to $1,070,700
102 Killaney Ct - upon revisiting and reviewing comparable sales, the Board determined that
this home, being outside of the norm of the neighborhood and having a much larger finished
basement, to apply a functional depreciation of 10% reducing the assessed value to 631,400.
108 Heath Ct - Board had requested the assessor visit the property and measure. Upon doing
so, the assessor noted that the square footage reflected is accurate. No change to the
assessment was deemed necessary.
112 Oatgrass Ct (Map #87B-4-3-187) The Board had requested assessors evaluate the land
values and return with feedback sharing reasoning and data for land valuations in Lake
Frederick.
Mr. Serrell representing (Map #86-A-18) - upon further review, the assessor shared that it was
found that a different class rating was noted on the sketch, marking it as a Class A. The Board
voted to change this to a Class B to match the other nearby auto part shops. The Board also
took action to increase the depreciation to 75% on the main building being applied to this
property due to it being vacant and experiencing some vandalism and being in disrepair. The
property assessment was reduced from $10,443,100 to $7,863,800.
1527 Senseny Rd (Map #54-A-128) - Revisited this with new information shared from the
assessor relating to other low-income housing valuations for comparison. Other communities
include Autumn Winds, Preston Place, Cedar Creek, and Stephens Village. The same income
rate and cap rate were applied and the Board took action to add an economic depreciation
adjustment decreasing the assessed value to $3,413,100.
Respectfully submitted,
Bradley Comstock
Secretary, Board of Equalization, Frederick County, Virginia