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By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
Jennifer Learn-Andes on Facebook   |   @TLJenLearnAndes on Twitter

Exeter Township property owner Nicholas Lubianetsky said he feels “betrayed” that his land assessment wasn’t reduced during an informal review because he provided photographs and deed information showing the land is in a flood zone and restricted from development.

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“I brought everything they told me to document, and nothing was changed,” said Lubianetsky. “This land is underwater in a bunch of seasons. I have pictures.”

Lubianetsky said he bought most of the land from the county in the late 1970s and early ‘80s because his home was on an adjacent parcel.

The first of two parcels, a 1.17-acre plot, went from a market value equivalent of $4,000 to a new value of $37,500. His property taxes will increase from $77 to a projected $687.

Lubianetsky, who has a formal assessment appeal scheduled for today, said a state-certified appraiser valued that parcel at $11,000.

The second, a 0.5-acre parcel, has gone from a value of about $1,000 to a new assessed value of $20,800.

His appraiser has valued that parcel at $7,000.

Lubianetsky said he is particularly upset that the worker who handled his informal review said she did not know what he meant when he said the property was in the Susquehanna River “flood plain.”

Tim Barr of the reassessment company 21st Century Appraisals Inc. said he didn’t want to discuss Lubianetsky’s value without reviewing the details.

In general, Barr said flood plain maps were used to identify neighborhoods. The company then developed formulas based on sales within those neighborhoods. He said any negative impact from flooding would be reflected through sales.

Barr has encouraged property owners to point out flooding problems if they don’t believe 21st Century considered flooding in their new values.

Lubianetsky said his property would never sell for the new value amounts. Installation of a septic system is prohibited, and he has a letter from the township zoning officer indicating the parcel can’t be developed. He said all this information was presented at the informal review.

“If I sell or transfer the land, I have to put a statement in the deed documenting that it significantly floods,” he said.

Lubianetsky said he is speaking out because he wants to inspire other property owners to stand up for their rights and fight for fair values. He said it’s unfortunate he had to pay $575 for the two appraisals, and is upset he’ll have to wait until Oct. 31 for the appeal board’s decision.

“I’m trying to keep my cool, but I’m really frustrated,” he said.

Appeal update

Tony Alu, director of Luzerne County’s assessment office, said the final count of formal assessment appeals won’t be known until a week or two after Aug. 11, the appeal deadline for property owners who received their new values in the final batch mailed July 1.

Alu said his staff will need time to process the appeals.

The county currently uses a figure of 4,500 appeals. More than 15,000 were projected.

Alu noted some property owners are expected to receive revised notices, which means they will receive new appeal dates after Aug. 11.