In a recent ruling, the Saskatoon development appeals board upheld regulations regarding the height of a residence in Nutana, Saskatoon. The board determined that allowing exceptions for the house would go against the zoning bylaw’s purpose.
The property, located on University Drive and valued at $1.6 million, surpasses the maximum height limit for homes in established neighborhoods by 1.4 meters and also exceeds the permitted width. The violations were discovered during an inspection in May when the house was nearing completion, leading the city to issue a stop work order.
The current owners, Curtis and Rachelle Kelln, who acquired the property from the estate of developer Karl Miller, were unaware of the size violations. City staff, who conducted multiple inspections during the construction phase, including after the Kellns took over, also failed to detect the discrepancies.
Jonathan Naylor, president of the Varsity View Community Association, supported the board’s decision, emphasizing the importance of upholding regulations to preserve the integrity of the neighborhood. While he empathized with the owners’ predicament, he highlighted the potential negative impact of oversized structures on neighboring properties.
Douglas Tompson, a resident in the vicinity, echoed support for the board’s ruling but expressed concerns over unresolved issues. He defended the Kellns, asserting their innocence in the matter and suggesting that legal recourse might be the next step due to the case’s complexity.
Speculation persists that the matter could escalate to court intervention, given its intricacies. The Kellns are considering their options following the ruling, with Curtis Kelln indicating that altering the structure to comply with regulations would be significantly costly and challenging. The development appeals board’s decision can be contested at the Saskatchewan Municipal Board within the next month.