Sasha Gardner presents appraisal, argues most of her lot is unusable wetlands

Sasha Gardner told the board she submitted an independent appraisal by Elliot Morales that placed the property’s value at $427,600 and showed the board photos and maps to support a claim that much of the lot is unusable. The town’s field card lists a land value around $609,000, which Gardner and her appraiser said reflects the full acreage rather than the usable portion.

Gardner and the appraiser explained that 0.28 acres of the 0.53-acre parcel are wetlands or steeply sloped and therefore not developable; the appraisal adjusted land value accordingly and used recent knockdown/teardown comparables to justify a lower land valuation. Gardner said the appraiser’s comparable—a house on Black Rock Turnpike that sold within the past year—supports a lower market opinion and that the house itself may be a teardown, further reducing contributory value.

Moderator Laura O'Brien told Gardner the board will include the appraisal and supporting materials in the appeals packet for a later review. Gardner said she provided flood maps, photos and reconciling comparables and expects the board to consider the usable-lot argument when reviewing the town’s land estimate. No decision was reached at the hearing.