Anyone here donate Real Estate for charitable deduction and how did it work out?

[ultrarunner]

Family has a small city paved and fenced parking lot leftover from the auto dealership days going back to 1942

It’s been rented with city rental business license to a state and city licensed car dealer for overflow parking since the family left the auto business.

The city has informed me via certified Mail the parking lot can no longer be used to store vehicles with storage being any vehicle there for more than 72 hours.

In 21 days the violation admin fee of $3800 kicks in and then $100 per day for the first 7 days and the $200 for the next 7 days, etc.

Appealling comes with appeal filing fee of several thousand dollars.

The commercial Real Estate Market is down 60% and if the property is vacant a $6,000 annual extra vacancy tax kicks in.

The family members in their late eighties want me to buy them out but why?

What about donating to a charity for tax write offs?

Several Realtors say it’s about 18 months to sell as no one will buy without city entitlements in hand…

 

[Oaktree]

Curiously, did you have someone in mind to donate this property to? The way you describe, it's a bit of a white elephant. If you can find an organization that will take it, that sounds like the best solution.

What's the city's rationale for not allowing vehicles to be stored there anymore, or are they being pricks just because they can?

 

[oosik]

Ultrarunner - are you sure that property is not in or around my little town. Sounds like an action they would initiate. Screwed if you do - screwed if you don't.

I donated my 2005 Ford F-150 to the local Salvation Army. Got sick and tired of taking it to the dealership for repairs. They were overjoyed to receive it. They have folks who can do the repairs themselves and then sell it. I got a tax write off - they earned some $$$. A win - win situation.

There is a gov organization - Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge - that, for years, has been bugging me to donate my property to them - when I croak. I haven't heard from them for a few years. Mayhaps, they finally got the word - NO.

Government is an organization that know no end to their greed. No compassion for those they are charged to serve. Will never take their boot off your neck.

 

[Runner]

Curiously, did you have someone in mind to donate this property to? The way you describe, it's a bit of a white elephant. If you can find an organization that will take it, that sounds like the best solution.

What's the city's rationale for not allowing vehicles to be stored there anymore, or are they being pricks just because they can?

This is just a guess, but sometimes the zoning of property can be changed such that an existing use might be "nonconforming", but it is allowed to continue as long as owned and used by original business. However, if the original use (business) stops using the property for a given period of time or sells the property, they lose the right for nonconforming use and you have to comply with current zoning rules.

 

[Snobdds]

Rent it to a food truck for $100 per month.

That is basically a donation and write off the difference between fair market value and rent on the taxes.

There is always a way around .gov's pettiness.

 

[Runner]

Rent it to a food truck for $100 per month.

That is basically a donation and write off the difference between fair market value and rent on the taxes.

There is always a way around .gov's pettiness.

Makes you want to erect the biggest, ugliest piece of artwork possible right in the middle of the site....

 

[workinonit]

There's a great idea. An ugly piece of artwork and 5 food trucks.

 

[Snobdds]

Someone did it...

 

[gstrom99]

The city has informed me via certified Mail the parking lot can no longer be used to store vehicles with storage being any vehicle there for more than 72 hours.

What changed? Maybe you can quit claim the lot to the dealer that's been renting it? Like for a dollar.

Then they can fight it out with the city/zoning board...

 

[2manyrocks]

On what basis did the city say it can no longer be used for that purpose? If the lot has been used for the same purpose and hasn't changed, the city shouldn't be able to do that unless they gave notice of a change in zoning and then changed the rules on you by following the correct procedures without your objection.

This is an instance where you should consult a local zoning attorney.

I'd say the family members want you to buy them out so they have the $ and you have the problem.

Would the car dealership want to buy it?

 

[ultrarunner]

The renter barely hung on through pandemic and as of today owes October with November rent now due.

Only about a dozen cars there yesterday… mostly cars waiting with title or smog issues.

It’s odd as everything says car lot including the large monument sign and county assessor and business licensing.

Back in the corner is the concrete block washroom with wash rack and detail awning.

The crux is city says cars can be parked there but anything over 72 hours is a violation when not inside a building… there is no building or garage on the premises.

I spend way too much of my time on this kind of non sense…

Early 2021 property valued 1.3M and today maybe 400k with the 18 month escrow with the key finding a buyer willing to invest in the city which just is not happening now.

TBN venting helps keep me grounded…

 

[oosik]

Good Lord Snobdds - is there a good side to that "sculpture" ?? I can't repeat here what that looks like to me.

 

[ultrarunner]

Curiously, did you have someone in mind to donate this property to? The way you describe, it's a bit of a white elephant. If you can find an organization that will take it, that sounds like the best solution.

What's the city's rationale for not allowing vehicles to be stored there anymore, or are they being pricks just because they can?

Grand visions of retail mix use corridor with ground level retail and upper level housing…

Anything automotive is bad…

We can’t even keep burger franchises open and a stones throw distant 7/11 closed after 60 years citing holdups and KFC up the street is cashless…

Graffiti at the post office is everywhere so gave up.

 

[2manyrocks]

Hard to say what is going on. Incompetence by the city in issuing what may be an invalid notice, city somehow got rezoning past you, ??? IDK-some how you're going to have to dig into this locally to figure this out.

Just seeing your last post, makes me wonder what tenant would want to be there with all of that going on even if the city said okay?

Gun store? Methadone clinic?

 

[ultrarunner]

This is just a guess, but sometimes the zoning of property can be changed such that an existing use might be "nonconforming", but it is allowed to continue as long as owned and used by original business. However, if the original use (business) stops using the property for a given period of time or sells the property, they lose the right for nonconforming use and you have to comply with current zoning rules.

Maybe… since the family auto sales stopped when uncle retired at 80 but 100% continuous use as a car lot through 2 successive dealer tenants.

Earlier this year Fire Inspection and License inspection and both passed no problem… it’s a parking lot with concrete block washroom… not a lot to inspect.

The local hardware store has open storage of potting soil sacks and half barrels and such and the local auto repair since 1920 has a yard full of cars… both in violation as I see it if we are.

My best guess is we have been targeted by someone…

I did contact Catholic charities and the director suggested we sell the property and donate the proceeds vs donating the property…

He said they accept residential property donations but not equipped to accept commercial.

At one time city wanted to lease for a homeless small cottage tiny home development but the neighbors voiced strong objections.

 

[ultrarunner]

What changed is the city’s master plan.

The change targets anything related to supporting internal combustion from a ban on new gas stations, future ban on the books to ICE sales, the already in place ban on gas powered blowers and brush cutters… the ban on rail cars hauling coal, ban on fireplaces, ban on new natural gas working its way now… nuclear free zone, etc.

The steel and cast iron foundries are no more as the push to close heavy industry with the union jobs continues.

 

[2manyrocks]

California may be different, but I don't think they can just say you can't lease to a car lot anymore without having rezoned and followed the appropriate procedures unless they are thinking the existing dealership isn't in operation and there's some rule that a grandfathered use has to be continuous? This makes me think you need guidance from a local attorney who deals with this stuff.

Is the car dealer just out of business or did the city shut him down so he stopped paying you rent?

 

[ultrarunner]

City cited me for this graffiti which was resolved in 5 minutes…

Meanwhile the Post Office and utilities get a pass?

x

 

[2manyrocks]

If the post office is federally owned, not sure how much the city can mess with them. Utilities have a lot of $ to fight the city if it comes to it.

Is there a neighbor property owner nearby who might be putting the city onto you in hopes you'll sell cheap to them?

Did somebody cut through the chain link to paint that graffiti?

 

[ultrarunner]

Neighboring Post Office and Utilities and even City owned property graffiti.