= CITY OF AUSTIN. TEXAS MINUTES OF THE CITY COUNCIL CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Special Meeting November 10, 1964 9:00 Α.Μ. Council Chamber, City Hall The meeting was called to order with Mayor Palmer presiding. Roll call: Present: Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Absent: None Present also: Jack Klitgaard, Tax Assessor and Collector; Paul Gladden and J. E. Olson, Property Appraisers for Tax Department and Thomas P. de Steiguer, Tax Attorney. The Mayor announced that this was a Special Meeting of the Council called for the purpose of hearing tax appeals of Moton H. Crockett, Jr., Hugh L. McMath, R. C. Armstrong, Z. T. Scott, O. B. Kelley, Robert P. Toomey, Joe Crow, Carrington's University Hills and Holiday Realty Company, Inc., and Jacob Bauerle. MR. MOTON H. CROCKETT, JR. appealed the values as set by the Board of Equalization on the following property: Full Value Full Value Assessed Value Assessed by Tax by Tax Value by Rendered Value As Dept. 1963 Dept. 1964 Tax Dept. By Owner Fixed By Board Between Interre- gional and Middle Fiskville Road, 1.621 Acres John Land Imps $ 2,837 $14,082 100 100 $10,560 $ 2,130 80 80 $10,560 80 Applegate Survey Total $ 2,937 $14,182 $10,640 $ 2,210 $10,640 Mr. Crockett stated this property was 1.2 miles north of the city limits on the Interregional Highway, that this property was narrow being 110 feet at the narrowest point on the north end. He said the use value had not changed and the revenue he received from this property was $50 a year for a sign. He said he would give the improvements to any one that would carry them off. He compared his property to that of Mr. Scott's who has acreage to the east of his. It was brought out that Mr. Scott did not have any frontage on the Interregional and Mr. Crockett did. Mr. Crockett said all the property on the Interregional c CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS November 10, 1964 could not be used for commercial and he had no ingress or engress except on the frontage road; it did not make his property more valuable when you could not get on or off the Interregional Highway and it was 1 mile from the exit. Mr. Gladden stated all the property on the Interregional in this area was on the tax roll on a front foot basis. Mr. Crockett said he did not think this value should be raised 5 times. The Mayor said the Council would go out and look at this property. MR. R. C. ARMSTRONG appealed the values as set by the Board of Equalization on the following property: Full Value Full Value Assessed Value by Tax Dept. 1963 by Tax Dept. 1964 Value By Rendered Assessed Value As Tax Dept. By Owner Fixed By Board Corner Parkway Land $ 1,414 $ 4,440 and Rainbow Bend Imps -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- N. 116 ft. avg. Lot 37, Enfield D Total $ 1,414 $ 4,440 $ 3,330 $ 1,060 $ 3,330 $ 3,330 $ 1,060 $ 3,330 Mr. Armstrong stated this lot had deed restrictions requiring a 25' setback on Rainbow Bend and 30' on Parkway leaving a lot on which he was unable to build. He said it was written on the tax map in the past that this lot was not suitable for building and he would have utilized it a long time ago if it had been possible. Another restriction was that all buildings facing Pease Park had to be single level. Mr. Gladden stated the 75% discount had been removed and 15% discount had been allowed for the slope and bluff. Mr. Klitgaard pointed out that a few years ago people did not want lots having irregular topography but now buyer's demands have changed. The Mayor said the Council would go out and look at this property. Z. T. SCOTT, By Trueman O'Quinn, appealed the values as set by the Board of Equalization on the following property: Full Value Full Value Assessed Value Assessed by Tax by Tax Value By Rendered Value As Dept. 1963 Dept. 1964 Tax Dept. By Owner Fixed By Board 3700 Windsor Rd. Land 6.68 Acres Daniel Imps $23,380 37,765 $52,425 $39,320 $17,540 $37,080 33,888 25,420 28,320 25,420 J.Gilbert Survey Total $61,145 $86,313 $64,740 $45,860 $62,500 Mr. Trueman O'Quinn represented Mrs. Scott in this appeal, He stated this was the Scott homesite. He said there had been a decrease in the improvements since 1963 but the value of the land had almost doubled. There had been a minor adjustment by the Board of Equalization but they felt the values were still in excess of the land. Mr. O'Quinn stated the Tax Department had converted _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS- November 10, 1964 the front part of this property into lots for tax purposes and the property had not been subdivided and was still in acreage. He said the Board of Equalization had explained that they had taken 150' depth and called them lots and had put them on a front foot basis but some of the land did not have any frontage. He said this was a 6½ acre tract with limited access on Mathews Drive, that it is high above the street, and you could not cut out a lot as there is a bluff. He compared this property to the Swann and Eppright property showing the assessed value of the Swann property at $3700 an acre, the Eppright property at $4100 an acre and the Scott property at $5440 an acre. Mr. O'Quinn said they were not appealing the values on the improvements although there would be a limited demand for this home. He brought out that sometimes land is worth less because of the improvements that are on it and if this house was not on this land the 6½ acres might be worth more if it were subdivided and streets and utilities put in, but this is Mrs. Scott's home and she is not going to subdivide it. The Mayor said the Council would go out and look at this land. MR. O. B. KELLEY, By F. M. Pfaefflin, appealed the values as set by the Board of Equalization on the following property: Full Value Full Value Assessed Value by Tax Dept. 1963 by Tax Dept. 1964 Value By Rendered Tax Dept. Assessed Value As By Owner Fixed By Board North Interregion- Land al, 1.044 Acres Imps $ 1,566 $ 4,358 $ 3,270 Not Ren- $ 3,270 -0- -0- -0- dered -0- John Applegate Sur. Total $ 1,566 $ 4,358 $ 3,270 $ 3,270 Between North Land $ 7,156 Interregional & Imps 500 $17,432 500 $13,070 380 Not Ren- $13,070 dered 380 Middle Fiskville Rd., 4.089 Ac.John Applegate Survey Total $ 7,656 $17,932 $13,450 $13,450 Mr. Pfaefflin represented Mr. Kelley in this appeal. He stated they had the same problem as Mr. Crockett. He said they felt $20 a front foot on the Interregional Highway was too high and also their land had a swag in it. He said the improvements were alright. MR. ROBERT P. TOOMEY, By Mr. Joe Crow, appealed the values as set by the Board of Equalization on the following property: Full Value Full Value Assessed Value Assessed by Tax by Tax Value By Rendered Value As Dept. 1963 Dept. 1964 Tax Dept. By Owner Fixed By Board 1600 Barton Springs Land 3.954 Ac. Isaac Imps $27,456 15,144 $52,346 14,478 $39,260 $20,590 $39,260 10,860 11,360 10,860 Decker League Total $42,600 $66,824 $50,120 $31,950 $50,120 ) November 10, 1964 _ CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Mr. Crow represented Mr. Toomey in this appeal. He submitted a map to the Council showing the property from Sterzing Street on the west to Barton Drive on the east and from Barton Springs on the south to Toomey Road on the north; listing the amount of full value of each parcel for the years 1963 and 1964 as appraised by the Tax Department; showing the blocks that were decreased and the blocks that were increased; and he discussed the whole area in general and made comparisons. He said this general area was deteriorating and there were many, many properties that are vacant. He said they could not see any logical reason to raise Mr. Toomey's property 32%. He discussed the paving of Toomey Road, stating they were glad to pay their part but it did not improve or increase the value of Mr. Toomey's property. The Mayor asked Mr. Crow if he were asking for an area study and he stated he was representing Mr. Toomey only. The Mayor said the Council would go out and look at this property. MR. JOE CROW appealed the values as set by the Board of Equalization on the following property: Full Value Full Value Assessed Value Assessed by Tax by Tax Dept. 1963 Dept. 1964 Value By Rendered Tax Dept. By Owner Value As Fixed By Board Interregional at Land $47,187 $97,968 $73,480 $35,390 $73,480 Little Walnut Imps -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- Creek, 28.984 Ac. James P. Wallace Survey Total $47,187 $97,968 $73,480 $35,390 $73,480 Mr. Crow said the value of this 30 acre tract had been doubled. He said he did not think you could compare sales of 3 acre tracts with 30 acres tracts and there had been no 30 acre tracts sales in the vicinity. He said when the State purchased some of this property for $10,000 a acre it was put in the deed that he would have no abutter rights. He stated there was only one access to all of this land and he felt this was something that shoüld be considered as it might affect the lending agencies. He said this property could not be subdivided for houses and there was a question of how much can be absorbed for commercial development. He felt in appraising property the income from the property should be considered as well as sales. He said the tax structure should be studied and he recommended that the values of every parcel of land in the City be put on the section maps in the Tax Department as it would make it easier for the citizens to see where they stand, and would help relations with the Department. The Mayor stated the Council had been considering appointing a committee to make a tax study. The Mayor said the Council would go out and look at this property. CARRINGTON'S UNIVERSITY HILLS and HOLIDAY REALTY COMPANY, INC. By Richard Baker, appealed the values as set by the Board of Equalization on the following property: ) ) * CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS November 10, 1964 CARRINGTON'S UNIVER- SITY HILLS Full Value Full Value by Tax Assessed Value Assessed by Tax Value By Rendered Dept. 1963 Dept. 1964 Tax Dept. By Owner Value As Fixed By Board Loyola Lane, Land Division $56,360 $42,270 $42,270 River Bend, Sec. Imps of -0- -0- -0- 1, 28.18 Acres, J. A. G. Brooks Property and Total Annexation $56,360 $42,270 $42,270 Mr. Baker submitted 2 maps showing the condition of the subdivision on the 1st of January and the other one as it is today. He said this was an appeal. for a one year adjustment only as the property would be reappraised for next year. He said they were ready to start their subdivision on the first of the year but they had not started and they felt it should be appraised at $1200 an acre as it was undeveloped on the 1st of January. Full Value Full Value Assessed Value Assessed HOLIDAY REALTY COMPANY, INC. by Tax by Tax Value By Rendered Value As Dept. 1963 Dept. 1964 Tax Dept. By Owner Fixed By Board Webberville Rd. 36 Acres J. C. Tannehill League Land $ 8,200 $32,400 $24,300 Not Ren- $24,300 Imps 2,100 2,100 1,580 dered -0- Total $10,300 $35,500 $25,880 $24,300 Mr. Baker stated this tract of land was ½ miles east of the City limits. He said some of this property had been acquired by the State and the Tax Department was going to make an adjustment on that. He said the appraised value of this land had been increased 4 times and they felt the value had not increased this much. He said this property was in Water District No. 13 and this was a detrement to the property. The Mayor said the Council would go out and look at this property. MR. JACOB BAUERLE appealed the values as set by the Board of Equalization on the following property: Full Value Full Value Assessed Value by Tax by Tax Value By Rendered Assessed Value As Dept. 1963 Dept. 1964 Tax Dept. By Owner Fixed By Board 2005 South Lamar Land W.50 ft. Lot 6 & Imps $ 3,252 14,782 $ 3,252 15,197 $ 2,440 11,400 $ 2,440 11,090 $ 2,440 11,400 E.10 ft. Lot 7, Block 1, Fredericks- burg Road Acres Total $18,034 $18,449 $13,840 $13,530 $13,840 November 10, 1964 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS Full Value Full Value Assessed Value Assessed by Tax by Tax Value By Rendered Value As Dept. 1963 Dept. 1964 Tax Dept. By Owner Fixed By Board 1604 Garner St. Lot 27, Block A, Barton Heights B Land $ 1,113 $ 1,373 $ 1,030 $ 830 $ 1,030 Imps 5,119 7,044 5,280 3,840 4,240 Annex Total $ 6,232 $ 8,417 $ 6,310 $ 4,670 $ 5,270 2115 Oxford Ave. Land $ 881 $ 1,174 $ 880 $ 660 $ 880 54 x 112.5 ft.avg. Imps 3,626 3,626 2,720 2,720 2,720 Lot 19, Block C, Oak Hills Addn. Total $ 4,507 $ 4,800 $ 3,600 $ 3,380 $ 3,600 2110 Kinney Ave. Land $ 1,370 $ 1,884 $ 1,410 $ 1,030 $ 1,410 75 x 124 ft., Lot Imps 3,446 3,446 2,580 2,580 2,580 19, Block C, Oak Hill Total $ 4,816 $ 5,330 $ 3,990 $ 3,610 $ 3,990 2520 South 6th St. Land $ 1,125 $ 1,125 $ 840 $ 840 $ 840 Lot 1, Block D, Imps 4,706 4,706 3,530 2,850 3,530 LaPerla Total $ 5,831 $ 5,831 $ 4,370 $ 3,690 $ 4,370 He said Mr. Bauerle stated he was appealing both land and improvements. the property at 2005 South Lamar was his office and his objection was the policy of the Tax Department in that they did not appraise the property correctly in the first place. On the other properties he said they were either rent property or property sold on contract of sale and if taxes, insurance and interest are raised he did not know what was going to happen to the property. He said he was told that the reason the taxes were raised was because of the paving and he had paid for the paving and he did not think the taxes should be raised. Councilman Long stated it had not been the Council's policy to raise taxes because of paving and the lots were worth that much before the streets were paved. He said he agreed with Mr. Crow that the values should be put on the maps. He said the appraisals on 1604 Garner and 2520 South 6th would be OK. MR. HUGH L. MCMATH appealed the values as set by the Board of Equalization on the following property: Full Value Full Value Assessed Value by Tax Dept. 1963 by Tax Dept. 1964 Value By Rendered Tax Dept. By Owner Assessed Value As Fixed By Board N.E. Corner Ruth- Land $13,180 $32,950 $24,710 $ 9,890 No Appeal erford Lane & Interregional, 6.59 Acres, James P. Wallace Survey Imps -0- -0- -0- -0- Total $13,180 $32,950 $24,710 $ 9,890 CITY OF AUSTIN, TEXAS- November 10, 1964 Mr. and Mrs. McMath appeared for this appeal. Mr. McMath stated they had purchased this property before the war for their homesite and later found out the Interregional Highway was going through. He said it is below the Highway level and heavily wooded and therefore not suitable for commercial development. He said he would sell for $1500 an acre. The Mayor said the Council would go out and look at this property. Councilman White moved that the Council cut off the tax appeals except The motion, seconded by Councilman LaRue, for individual hardship cases. carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None The Council discussed when they would go out and look at all of these properties. The Mayor asked the Tax Department to group them in different sections of the City and to arrange for transportation. Councilman Long moved that the Council set Tuesday and Wednesday November 17th and 18th at 9:30 A.M. to go out and look at these properties. The motion, seconded by Councilman LaRue, carried by the following vote: Ayes: Councilmen LaRue, Long, Shanks, White, Mayor Palmer Noes: None There being no further business the Council adjourned at 11:55 A.Μ., subject to the call of the Mayor. ATTEST: Grace Momse Assistant City Clerk APPROVED Lanta & Palmer