Peter Van Winkle challenges Fairfield appraisal for 80 Ironside Road, seeks $1.25M assessment

Peter Van Winkle told the Fairfield tax appeals panel on March 5 that his home at 80 Ironside Road should be appraised at $1,250,000, not the town’s $1,446,300 figure. He told the clerk he and two neighboring homes were built at the same time and in similar condition, but the town applied a different depreciation factor to his house and a smaller land discount to his neighbors despite all being on the same hill.

"It's because the town is treating, is applying a different depreciation factor to the 2 neighbors' homes than to ours," Van Winkle said, arguing the discrepancy drives the higher valuation. He added that his property includes a pool and a barn the comparables do not, and that when he applies the same depreciation and a 0.9 land factor used on the neighbor properties, the math produces the $1.25 million figure he requested.

The clerk reviewed Van Winkle's submitted historical appraisal printouts and said the documents show his property’s appraised percentage rose about 14% in the current cycle compared with the two comparables. The clerk acknowledged that applying consistent depreciation and land adjustments would bring Van Winkle’s valuation in line with his neighbors and said she would present the material to the full board for a vote.

The clerk explained the board’s options: grant the full appeal as requested, offer a partial adjustment, or deny the request and leave the town value unchanged. She told Van Winkle he has the statutory right to pursue judicial review if the board's decision is unsatisfactory.

The appeals panel did not vote at the March 5 meeting; the clerk said appellant decisions and any changes will be mailed after the full board reviews the case.