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MPAC offers little solace to land owners CYNTHIA GAMBLE Staff Writer Property owners affected by rapidly changing land conditions in Halton Hills are unlikely to get any immediate help from the tax assessment agency, MPAC. Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) spokesperson Greg Baxter told Halton Hills council at a recent meeting that the agency, which sets the current market value assessment on all properties in Ontario, cannot alter an assessment until a change actually occurs. He answered questions from councillors on a variety of issues facing Halton Hills property owners. Rural Councillor Bryan Lewis said the planned twinning of the hydro corridor has already had an impact on land values. "The land values of all those people from 32 `I think it would be important Sideroad right down to the that MPAC will address these 401 is obviously being suppressed today, immediatepeople proactively and ly," he said, adding that not after the fact...' two homeowners have already approached him --Ward 2 Councillor Bryan Lewis about the new hydro tower line coming over their homes. ment to homes bordering quarries. "I think it would be important "Why isn't it a blanket policy? that MPAC will address these people These people have an impact on their proactively and not after the fact, properties automatically," he told because anyone can realize the sup- Baxter. "Why do you have to come pressed values of their properties and look at a crack in the wall to say today." `yes you are being impacted'. I think "MPAC will react immediately," if you put a protractor down around said Baxter, "once the deed has been two significant quarry operations to registered with the land registry me those people should get some office and the parcels have been benefit process just from strictly moved over to be part of the corri- where they live." dor. We take that information and "I believe it's important to review immediately update our site informa- the values based on the merits of the tion, which will likely adjust the individual property," replied Baxter. value of those properties." "Because the impact to property ownHe added MPAC plans to also ana- ers may vary within the general vicinlyze land sales to determine the effect ity, and we certainly want to take a on abutting properties as well. look at whether there is any structure "But the impact is upon those damage or loss of enjoyment." people today," said a frustrated Lewis. "And we're still saying to them (whether they're in the hydro corridor or beside the power plant) Halton Hills Mayor Rick Bonnette you must continue to pay today at also questioned MPAC spokesperson the higher price." Greg Baxter on the voter's list foul-up "You have to stand there and lis- created during last year's municipal ten to (a local resident) as she was election. saying the other day, `I give up. My MPAC is responsible for preparing house is for sale. I want out of here. I a preliminary enumeration list for can't take this anymore' and then talk municipal clerks, but last year, thouabout the value that won't be there," sands of voters in Town were forced to the rural councillor explained. He declare themselves Canadian citisuggested that MPAC talk to real zens-- even though some had voted in estate agents today about land values, this community for more than 30 not after the deed is signed. years-- because MPAC could not con"It's very unfair to the residents in both those examples." Baxter suggested MPAC could perhaps take a look at similar situations in other communities to see what impact abutting a hydro corridor would have on market values. Some property owners also have raised a red flag on land values due to the location of the new power plant in the 401 Corridor, Lewis said. Baxter said sales would be reviewed, adding that's the benefit of annual reassessments (which will start again in 2008) that "we'll be able to clearly identify if there are impacts directly associated with that property, to not only identify if there is an impact but to quantify what that adjustment should be." Lewis questioned why MPAC does not give an automatic reduced assessWard 1&2 Regional Councillor Clark Somerville wondered about the impact on farmers' assessments when surrounding land is bought by developers-- as is happening in the Georgetown South area. Baxter said there is legislation which determines how MPAC can assess farm properties-- if a farm continues to be farmed, the land will not be valued for its potential for redevelopment. Land sales from farmer to farmer would be used in establishing the assessment. Baxter confirmed that speculators, while waiting for future development to occur and still farm the land, would benefit from a farm assessment. Once land is being used for development, then MPAC will reevaluate the property. MPAC assesses more than 19,000 properties in Halton Hills and in 2006 received 314 complaints about tax assessments. Baxter said the trend has been that roughly half have resulted in an adjustment to the tax assessment. MPAC has made a number of improvements to its services, he said, including giving greater weight to the selling price of a property, increasing the number of free detailed assessment reports on neighbouring or similar homes to 12, offering settlements in disputes at least seven days prior to the hearing and providing more information to the property owner on how assessments were determined. Assessments are currently made using the January 1, 2005 market value and starting in 2009 will be done using the January 1, 2008 market value. Current value is determined as the price a property could be reasonably expected to sell for in its current condition. For more information about MPAC, go to www.mpac.ca Run for all Power Zone fitness club members held a St. Patrick's Day fun run for family members (and pets) with the proceeds going to the Georgetown Bread Basket. Among the approximately 30 runners taking part were Kim Robertson, her niece Lindsay Quinn and family Photo by Shawn McAlpine pooch Brandy. Conservation award deadline nears Conservation Halton (CH) wants to know about any good deeds that have enhanced the natural environment during 2006. Until March 31, CH is accepting nominations for its conservation awards, which will be distributed May 23 at its administration centre in Burlington. There are six categories-- citizen, community, education, stewardship, corporate and the conservation honour roll award for long time dedication to environmental protection. The winners' names will be placed on a plaque that's displayed in CH's head office. Individual plaques will be presented to recipients. The awards have been given out since 1982. Past nominees have included teacher associations and federations, scout and guide groups, naturalist clubs, corporations, government agencies and private landowners. Projects have included tree planting, stream rehabilitation and clean-up, schoolyard naturalization, environmental education, wildlife improvement and fundraising for conservation. For more information on the awards and how to apply, call CH at 905-336-1158 or visit www.conservationhalton.on.ca. MPAC working to correct election list foul-up firm their nationality. Baxter said MPAC is working on this matter with municipal clerks and expects improvement by the next election. He said part of the problem is attributed to the low return rate (40 per cent) of occupancy and municipal enumeration forms that MPAC sent to all properties. Residents are currently not legally required to send the information back, but that may be reviewed in the future, Baxter said.