To Lisa / Carol / City April 18, 2008

would like your help

I am co-owner of the Aurora Street/water line improvements

(Northern Lights Subd)
 
and when the time comes to sign them over to the City
 
we need conditions attached
 
Cameron says the ONLY time the water can be worked with is April/May
 
but no later as the water table rises and you will have a BIG mess on your hands,
 
that affects our land, too
 
 
I didn't intend to deed over my Multi-Family land to snow storage lot,
but have it a dedicated easement use;  this needs to be corrected,
so I can negotiate an easement & reimbursement with the next people who want to hook on to the water
 
It should still be my land; not City land.
 
Should anyone want to hook on, we need to be reimbursed $35,000 on the approx $100,000 we have into this line extension
 
I have paid the first $26,000 of my share by turning over the money I got by selling Alpine Woods Lot 8, BK 8
 
I still owe Cameron an equal amount,
 
and his thoughts on his end would be that he would like $10,000 additional for his reimbursement.
 
In Clallam County where I worked in 1975-1985,
the electric company would charge a hefty fee for power extension to the first person who wanted power in a new area;
then as others moved in, they were reimbursed a fair share, to minimize the overcharge to the first people
 
Also, I don't think it is fair that we had to do 'to specs' on the water line when others were allowed to hook on by using a water hose type extension.
 
On the electric costs; I think Cameron was at risk for loosing $15,000 deposit unless others started using electric within a certain time period
 
He told me, too, that the City immediately raised taxes on the lots as soon as the plat was done; and as you know it takes awhile to sell lots & transfer them to people who are benefiting from the lot (This is when the city should be raising the taxes)
 
Thus the possibility of having the land I bought being a good investment; and not a loss of money paid already, is looking bleak.
 
I would like to know how much it cost the City to do the Roads in Corbin Creek Subd.
Of Course you didn't have the added expense of doing the water lines
 
Diann Hursh
Box 233
Valdez, AK 99686
 
907-835-3135
I am not quite certain of how to respond yet. I need to check on a number of things and get back to you. Thanks for your patience. Lisa
Thank you.

To Valdez City Manager, John:  "We need policy changes"

I don't think a land developer should start paying taxes on lots any earlier than 2 years after the plat, similar to what is done when a new house is built ....

Not until a new owner purchases the lot, and is getting the benefit of it

(Unless someone is not proceeding fully to complete the project)

Diann Hursh

835-3135

My comments to Lisa/Carol this am

for your info only, if we are not paid $35,000 for someone to hook on to our waterline,

there will not be a speedy 'turn over' of the improvements we made on Aurora Street
And I will replat to give an easement snow storage - not a land give away

The water line and improvements are done in outstanding fashion as Cameron normally expects of himself

 
  
Also restrictions requiring April or May only for time period;
 
and that only a licensed professional may do this
 
I am co-owner; and if there is any problem getting this accomplished,
I will want to amend the plat, so our / my permission is required to extend the line
That is designated as snow storage
will not be transferred to the City
 
without just compensation
 
I will continue to own the property
& determine whether or not any easement will be granted through it
 
The City typically purchases snow storage lots either in cash or lease money,
and either would be acceptable to me
 
Diann Hursh
 
My husband is adamantly in agreement with me about this

 
Diane,

I sent your e-mails regarding your property next to the Northern Lights Subdivision to the City  Attorney.  His response was: 1) The Valdez Municipal Code requires that a developer provide dedicated snow lots within a new subdivision.  The snow lot on your property was dedicated in Northern Lights Subdivision, Phase II, you signed it and the plat was recorded so that lot is now dedicated to the City for snow storage;  2)  The intent of the developer during the planning of this subdivision was to have the City take over the maintenance of the roads and utilities once they were approved by the City.  At that point they become the property of the City and there are no lingering rights on them.  The way it works is a developer puts in improvements and the cost of the improvements is recouped in the sale of the property.    The Deed of Trust on your property was in lieu of a performance bond for the completion of the development requirement set forth in the Valdez Municipal Code (Chapter 16).

Carol

Carol,  you can't tell ownership of parts of a plat .... just by the plat alone;  your attorneys thought I owned all of it, per their actions against me 05 - 07

I do not object to the use of the parcel B in Phase 2 of Northern Lights Subdivision for SNOW STORAGE.  I do object to the taking of this property without just compensation.  The City typically purchases land for snow storage.  If the City wants to OWN this land, they should purchase it:  $26,500 as that is the amount I put into the improvements from the sale of Alpine Woods lot 8 of Block 8.  And $10,000 to Cameron for any other use of the water line than currently plated.  (If otherwise, we can amend the plat & correct this)

Cameron & I have to sign over the improvements to the City.

& Unrelated to this, it is time for the City to remove the attachment of my 9 acres in lieu of bond ... to secure that the property improvements would be accomplished.

Diann
DEAD END  I wish to have Aurora Street be a dead end, as it is now;
 
no extension of water or anything else
 
The snow storage lot was for that purpose only,
and not to be changed into other purposes,
 
which I presume could be the intention of the City at some point in time,
should they be deeded Parcel B in Phase 2
(Dedicated use - not gifted property - should be all the City is interested in)
 
 
There are few people in the City who could do what Cameron has done,
and properly extend the waterline without putting the needs of our Subdivision at risk
 
As you know, there is little property of value beyond our N. Lights Subdivision;
 
but if the waterline could be used, we should be justly compensated for it;
 
and as already stated, no water line can be worked on except for the months of April/May

2003-9

2005-9