Board of Equalization splits on six North Pole lot appeals by Michael G. McGowan

The Fairbanks North Star Borough Board of Equalization on March 28 heard consolidated testimony from Michael G. McGowan challenging the assessor’s 2025 land valuations for six vacant lots he owns in the Antebell/Annie Bell Acres area of North Pole.

McGowan told the board he had purchased the lots a decade ago for roughly $0.10 per square foot and said he believes current assessed values — as high as $0.14–$0.15 per square foot for some of his parcels — are excessive and unequal to nearby vacant parcels that sell for as little as $0.10 per square foot. Appraiser Amanda (assessor’s office) and other borough staff presented comparable sales the assessor used to set 2025 values and said the assessor relied on recent sales in adjacent subdivisions and accounted for access and wetland constraints when valuing lots.

The board recessed repeated…