County assessments of identical Collier homes show big difference
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Although 1808 and 1806 Benson Blvd. are almost identical, the county has assessed one more than the other.
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Identical condominium units in the same Collier neighborhood have been assessed at widely different values, an Allegheny County councilman has found.
Councilman Michael Finnerty said property values in the Summit Ridge housing project appear to depend on what kind of assessment method was used to calculate their worth.
The county, for example, has assessed a three-bedroom home at 1806 Benson Blvd. at $190,000. Following a 2009 appeal, the adjoining unit at 1808 Benson -- originally valued by the county at the same amount -- was revalued at $107,600. Both condo units were built in 2005, are 1,844 square feet and have 21/2 baths and central air conditioning.
Similar yawning differences in value appear among many other similar-appearing units in Summit Ridge.
Those gaps are reduced slightly thanks to the county's $15,000 homestead exemption that cuts the assessed value on owner-occupied homes by that amount.
"Inequities like this show the assessment system in a really bad light," Mr. Finnerty said. The policies followed to value homes in the same neighborhood should be consistent, he said.
Martin "Bud" Piper, who lives at 1806 Benson Blvd., agreed. "It seems unfair that I should be paying so much more in taxes," he said. "I'm 68, and I have to watch my money."
Mr. Finnerty and two of his colleagues have introduced an amendment to the county code that would require all properties in a housing development be assessed in the same way.
Members of council's economic development and housing committee last week discussed the proposal and recommended approval to full council. The amendment will be on the agenda when council meets Tuesday.
The sponsors, in addition to Mr. Finnerty, D-Scott, are Bob Macey, D-West Mifflin, and Charles Martoni, D-Swissvale.
First Published September 14, 2011 12:00 am
