FAYETTEVILLE — Lanny and Carolyn Samples want the assessed value of their Fayetteville home reduced 35 percent because of the nuisance of a nearby dirt pit and limestone quarry.
Early in the morning, Lanny Samples said he can hear “clunk, clunk, clunk” and other loud noises from operators harvesting limestone and red dirt from property visible from his backyard.
The couple told Washington County Judge Marilyn Edwards their residence at 7606 Wedington Drive, where they have lived since 1975, is worth less because of the nearby quarry. Three other property owners with similar claim are also appealing.
The Washington County Quorum Court has denied a conditional-use permit for the Big Red Dirt Pit and an adjacent quarry to expand limestone mining operations, but the owners have appealed the decisionto the Washington County Circuit Court.
Edwards on Monday heard the first four of 24 appeals by property owners not satisfied when they appealed their 2008 property valuation to the Equalization Board. Edwards said she will take the requests under advisement and decide later.
The Equalization Board heard more than 360 appeals in September and October, o◊cials said.
Don Horton, of Arkansas CAMA Technologies, said it’s “hard to quantify” the adverse impact of a neighboring properties. CAMA contracts with Washington County to assess values on real property. The property’s assessed value impacts the amount of property taxes due.
Based on comparable sales, Horton appraised the 1,876 square foot house and two-acre lot at $194,100- $43,750 for the land and $149,272 for the residence. The Samples are requesting the value be lowered to about $126,000.
News, Pages 1 on 11/03/2009
Comments
To report abuse or misuse of this area please hit the "Suggest Removal" link in the comment to alert our online managers. Please read our comment policy.
Use the comment form below to begin a discussion about this content.
Registration is required to make comments. Click here to LOGIN.
You can register for FREE to post comments and receive alerts.