Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 29, 1993 TAG: 9304290215
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Several council members said Tuesday they believed it would be unfair to eliminate all of the tax breaks at once. Such an increase would be more than tenfold for some owners.
Apart from the timing of a repeal, however, it remains uncertain whether council will approve Mayor David Bowers' proposal to end the breaks at all.
"If we do it, I think it will have to be some type of compromise," said Councilwoman Elizabeth Bowles. "I can understand why the [landowners] are concerned about it happening all of a sudden."
Councilman William White said he is inclined to support Bowers' proposal, but said it should be implemented gradually.
"This has to be carefully thought out," Councilman James Harvey said. "I think we should sit down with the property owners and see if we can reach a consensus.
"We need to know what can be built on the land and how it can be used," Harvey said. "If it is done, it should be done right."
Al Prillaman, a Roanoke lawyer, confirmed that he has been hired to represent 10 landowners who would be affected. He is researching the background for the agriculture assessment, which was approved in 1976 after the city annexed nearly 16 square miles of Roanoke County.
Eliminating the agricultural assessment would have a "severe economic impact" for the landowners, Prillaman said.
He said it was premature to comment on their strategy.
Bowers proposed Monday that council schedule a public hearing so the landowners and others could be heard. But he was rebuffed by council members.
City Manager Bob Herbert said Bowers' proposal had been referred to council's budget study next week.
Herbert has said the land-use assessment is outdated, although he has not been asked to make a recommendation.
After it became apparent that council would not set a hearing, Bowers said he will advise the landowners' attorney that they can be heard during budget study sessions next week.
There are 670 acres in the city, owned by 21 people, with agricultural assessment. The land is assessed for taxes based on its farm use rather than its fair-market value.
The city would receive an additional $126,000 a year in taxes if the land were taxed at its fair-market value.
Much of the land is in outlying areas of the city, with the heaviest concentration in the vicinity of Valley View Mall and the Interstate 581-Hershberger Road interchange.
The property owners say the proposal would encourage piecemeal development rather than controlled and orderly development. Others said it might force them to stop farming their land.
by CNB