El Cortez Heights Neighborhood Association

Northwest Center Newsletter for April 2009 is available for download.

• April 2009 (PDF, 248 KB)

This is the final segment of our Building Healthy Neighborhoods grant.

Please join us on:

WHEN: Wednesday, March 25th
FROM: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
WHERE: The International School of Tucson, 1730 N First Ave (First & Lester)

This session will talk about Outdoor Living Strategies. Topics include designing microclimates & water harvesting, using plants for shape & shade, and how to maintain your open air space.

I would love to see as many of you attend this meeting as possible. I would like us to be able to say THANK YOU to the Drachman Institute for all they have done for us over the past 3 years. Some of the designs given to us under the grant are our neighborhood concept plan, Mansfield Park concept plan, and the 4th Avenue Bicycle/Pedestrian plan.

Two of the three plans have already received partial funding. I would like to thank all of you who participated in this grant. These plans will make our neighborhood not only more attractive; but healthier.

Tori Stypula
President, El Cortez Heights NA

I met with the Assessor, Bill Staples, yesterday during my lunch. Chairman Elias’ office arranged the meeting for me.

The current valuations are based upon the sale of houses in our area prior to January 1, 2009. We reviewed the “Residential Property Equity Analysis” for our neighborhood. This report showed the house sales in our area since 2003.

The valuation process included an adjustment for homes sold prior to June 2008. There are no adjustments to sales 6 months prior to January 1., 2009. This adjustment is based upon the trend or sales in our area. You can see a graph of the trends on the “Sale/Resale Market” link on the Assessor’s webpage. The specific percentage of adjustment is not shown. However, in our area there was a slight decline in the sale values.

In looking at our area sales, Mr. Staples pointed out that the sale prices have stayed fairly consistent in price ranges. The good news is that we are a highly desirable area. The bad news is that our valuations went up. Mr. Staples stated that area residents could try to locate a parcel, similar to theirs, in our area with a lower valuation. With this information an appeal could be submitted. The deadline is April 2, 2009.

Chairman Elias’ office has provided me with several appeal forms and instructions for those interested. The appeal is a paper process only. The Assessor’s office does not come out and inspect (unless you request it). Mr. Staples also gave me some sample verbiage to use on the appeal form. I will be glad to share this with anyone. Mr. Staples also stated that your appeal can be based on a parcel that has not recently been sold. The parcel should contain similar features (eg, SQ footage, heating, AC, etc.). However, more weight is given to recently sold properties.

When researching comparable parcels for appeal, please be aware some may be ineligible for use because of extenuating circumstances. The most common in our areas is the Senior Valuation Freeze Program and/or the Widows/Widowers Reduction Program. If you feel that you may qualify for either of these programs, please call 243-7500.

In summary, based upon the sales data available our valuations rightfully were increased.

Tori

Northwest Center Newsletter for December 2008 is available for download.

• December 2008 (PDF, 756KB)

Congratulations Tori!

Each day in December, we are writing about a Gift of Tucson. These are people who quietly make our town what it is — volunteers, parents, neighbors, people who commit random acts of kindnesses. While we received nominations from readers for such people as talk radio host Jon Justice and retired executive Dorothy Finley, our gifts have names few recognize, but whose contributions make Tucson a better place to live.

Today’s gift:Tori Stypula, 52.

Read the full story on AZStarnet.

I also saved an archived copy of the article. View the screenshot online (might take a while to load), or download a ZIP file with a printable version and screenshot.

Northwest Center Newsletter for November 2008 is available for download.

• November 2008 (PDF, 228KB)

Meeting Tonight
Tonight is the Building Healthy Neighbors discussion continued from last month. We will meet at the Northwest Neighborhood Center at 6:30 PM.

Fall Cleanup and Potluck
Our FALL Neighborhood cleanup is this Saturday, November 8th. We will start at 8:00 am and go no longer than noon. Staging area is at Tori & Lori’s, 549 E. Seneca Street.

Everyone is cordially invited to a neighborhood potluck afterwards starting at 2:00 pm. B.Y.O.B. and a side dish to share. We are grilling hotdogs. Please R.S.V.P to elcortez@gmail.com if you are planning to attend the potluck. We would like a head count for the chef.

Hope to see you there.

Trash Pickup Day Change
Our trash day is on Thursday (11/5/08) this week. Starting next Wednesday, 11/12/08, Wednesdays will be our new trash pick up day.

Fall Greetings from the Ward III Office! We hope you enjoy our latest Newsletter, filled with information on a variety of upcoming events, along with photos of those past.

October/November Newsletter [PDF 664].

Miguel Ortega
Chief of Staff
Vice Mayor Karin Uhlich
Ward 3 – 1510 E. Grant Road