26-000982.pdf

James Daratony Petitioner V Township Of Lima Respondent · 26-000982-TT

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RECEIVED 

OCT 1 82026 

Docket # 26-000982 

M 

From: jimdaratony@aol.com <jimdaratony@aol.com> 

ICHIGAN TAX TRIBUNAL 

To: taxtrib@michigan.gov 

Cc: B. Renius 

Date: Oct 7, 2026 at 3:30 PM 

RE: Parcel # 07 26 200 010 

To Whom It May Concern: 

This letter is submitted in response to the Lima Township Tax Assessor’s response to 

our appeal, dated August 10, 2026. We received notice of the Assessor’s response to 

the Tribunal after that date. 

We would like to clarify several factual matters raised in the Assessor’s response and 

respectfully request that the following information be considered as part of the review 

of our appeal. 

First, the Assessor’s response appears to suggest or imply that my wife and 

| 

maintain other residences. We do not. The property that is the subject of this appeal 

is our primary and only residence, and we live there year-round. We have been there 

for 3 years. 

Second, the property is not 

a commercial property as suggested by the Assessor. 

The property is zoned agricultural and is used primarily for our personal residential 

and equestrian purposes. My wife and 

| have four daughters who continuously ride 

horses throughout the property. We personally own nine horses, as well as sheep, 

goats, chickens, and other animals. A substantial portion of the property consists of 

paddocks and pastures. We also have open areas used for galloping and riding, 

which we occasionally share with members of the public. 

In addition, we do host 

approximately four horse shows per year and a number of horse clinics.

The other buildings located on the property are used for our personal animals, 

equestrian activities, and personal vehicles. There are no other residences or 

dwelling units on the parcel. 

It is also important to note that my wife and 

| previously owned a home on 

approximately 80 acres that had the same type of equestrian use. That property was 

our primary residence, and the township in which it was located recognized it as 

such. Owning a large parcel of land and using that land for personal equestrian and 

agricultural purposes does not, in itself, make the property commercial or establish 

the existence of another residence. 

The property at issue here is our only home and our year-round primary 

residence. We have no other residences. With the exception of the approximately 5 

acres containing the residence in the shared building, the remaining acreage is used 

for our personal enjoyment, horses, livestock, and related equestrian activities. There 

are no other habitable living spaces on the property. 

The Assessor changed our primary residence from 100% to only 6% and we feel this 

is completely wrong. 

We respectfully ask that these facts be taken into consideration when reviewing our 

appeal and evaluating the characterization and assessment of the property. 

Thank you for your consideration. 

Respectfully, 

Jim and Darlyn Daratony 

Can we get a confirmation that the Tax Tribunal office received this emai Thank you. 

Also the Assessor's office has been cc'd so they have been notified.

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