San Antonio Express-News
By Christine Stanley - Contributing Writer/North Central News
Tobin Hill Community Association members celebrated their one-year anniversary Sept. 14.
Association President Carolyn Kelley took the helm with two other members back in 2008. THCA has grown to more than 80 members since then, and the historic Tobin Hill neighborhood is quickly becoming one of San Antonio's hot spots thanks to home renovations, the Art on the Hill gallery walk and recent River Walk northern extension.
But that progress has come with a price.
THCA members say their property appraisals have skyrocketed because of Tobin Hill's newfound popularity, which translates into higher taxes.
State Rep. Mike Villarreal (D-San Antonio) discussed the need for property appraisal reform with THCA members during a Sept. 13 meeting – a cause he's championed for years with limited success.
Kelley and THCA members have been concerned about what they feel are unfair appraisals for some time. In June, Kelley said THCA planned to reach out to public officials, lawyers and tax consultants to guide residents through the property appraisal appeals process if they're facing an unexpected hike in their home's value.
Bexar Appraisal District Manager Richard Hammond has said Tobin Hill appraisals went up 10 percent this year as a whole, with some properties decreasing in value. He said revitalization efforts in Tobin Hill's historic sections are driving home sales, which causes values to increase.
San Antonio has similar hot spots in the historic Lavaca and Monte Vista neighborhoods, he said.
Villarreal encouraged residents to protest their property appraisal if they think it has been unfairly assessed.
“The appraisal district gives the first offer,” he said. “It's a game, and you're expected to counter offer.”
If property owners are unhappy with any appraisal that's valued at $1 million or less, they can enter into arbitration with the appraisal district to argue their case.
Thanks to recent state legislative action, the fee for that arbitration session has gone down to $250 from $500, Villarreal said, but homeowners are still unable to argue for a lower appraisal based on home equity.
They instead have to argue based on market value. That can be tricky, Villarreal said, because privacy rules prevent appraisal districts from accessing sell prices for all properties, including commercial real estate.
Villarreal encouraged THCA members to support his push for further property appraisal reform during the next legislative session.
“My position is, if we're going to have this system, then let's make sure it's fair,” he said.
In the meantime, Tobin Hill residents can look forward to a few new sidewalks and a $1.8 million drainage improvement project.
Adam Greenup, chief of staff for Mary Alice Cisneros, said the District 1 city councilwoman managed to set aside funds for sidewalks and drainage improvements on San Pedro Avenue from West Evergreen to Interstate 35.
Sidewalks are planned for both sides of Gillespie Street from Locust to Myrtle; on Main Street around East Evergreen; along East Dewey Place from McCullough Avenue to North St. Mary's Street; and on Woodlawn Avenue from McCullough Avenue to North St. Mary's.