Issue:

 Property Tax increase.

Yes! There are so many examples of this that I put them at the bottom of this page. It seems you can expect a minum increase of 3%,  with an average of 5-10%, and the high end is 15%. You will pay somewhere between $30-$150 more per $1,000 of what you pay now. This is not a one time fee, it’s every single time your tax bill is due….forever.

Generally they say if you are in proximity of a trail they will go up. So what is proximity? I understand that as to being convienient to it. Logic would say that up to 3 miles away would be well within that “close proximity”. So figure that a 6 mile wide stretch (3 miles each way from center) 26 miles long will have a very good chance of increased property taxes. This affects a lot more people than just a few.

Rare occasions show property values may drop, thus taxes may too. Such examples may be similar to the ones discussed in the issue of “privacy fence” .

Having a tax increase is never easy. This would devastate more landowners. After the recent extreme rises in property taxes and other inflation, this will add another nail to the coffin. It is unfair to push more taxes on a select group of people. Having them pay for someone elses gain.

The majority of users will be from areas that don’t have to contend with the increased property tax associated with this. Of course they will say “build the trail”.

The area comprises mostly of retired people on fixed income, farms handed down thru generations, and folks who can’t afford to live anywhere else (lower cost of living).

Increasing the value of their property (thus increasing taxes) is not a good thing for them. It won’t “add” money to their daily pocket. They are retired and on fixed income, they don’t want to go back to work. Most couldn’t if they had too because of health reasons. This isn’t going to let farmers sell thier product for more money. There will not be enough jobs created for the ones that are still working here to improve their condition and the jobs created won’t be better paying jobs to replace what they do now.

Selling their property to capture the gain of value? There is no place for them to go. This is it for them, the end of the road. If they do sell, any gain is eaten up by the cost of moving.

An increased value is a definate hardship for these folks.

In speaking with the counties and state, they say there is no way for them to prevent a tax increase when it happens. Properties are appraised by third party companies, and they need to report true values.

There is none but one…. We ask that you do not support  building the Trail because of this matter, for either yourself or for the person across town that is struggling. This is an unfair way to achieve economic improvement.

Please send comments to VDOT declaring that you oppose the trail. This trail is in it’s final stages for final approval.  They are currently gathering comments in regards to it. Please send one. There is an active link below to send comments. Some computers have security features that block the use of the email button. When that happens, you need to use your regular email service and type in the email address given below.

 Be sure to include in the Subject Title….

“Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail: Comment“

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You can also mail Comments to:

VDOT: Mr. Kelly Dunn

Craig Botetourt Scenic Trail; Comment

731 Harrison Ave.

Salem , VA. 24153