Owner says neighborhood map split caused a 16% land increase; board affirms assessor

Mr. Patel asked the board to correct what he called an ‘‘invisible neighborhood boundary’’ that caused his vacant-lot land base rate to jump about 16% compared with adjacent parcels.

He told the board staff report language showed the assessor planned to combine the Colthurst area into Foxfield for next year, and he argued it was inequitable to force his parcel to pay an effective penalty in 2026.

Assessor staff explained that parcels are assigned to market areas for modeling purposes and that sales evidence supported the subject’s alignment with Foxfield. Staff noted the county will adjust boundary assignments where appropriate for the following tax year but said that did not by itself invalidate the assessor’s 2026 land value.

After discussion the board voted to affirm the assessor’s figures for Application 19. The board and staff noted the county’s planned consolidation could affect future valuations and that the petitioner could raise the matter again if the market-area assignment changes.