In a recent ruling, the Saskatoon development appeals board upheld regulations regarding the height of a house in the Nutana neighborhood. The board determined that allowing exceptions for the property would go against the city’s zoning bylaw’s purpose.
The residence, located on University Drive and valued at $1.6 million, surpasses the permitted height limit by 1.4 meters and exceeds the allowed width as well. Violations were identified during an inspection in May, prompting the city to issue a stop work order when construction was nearing completion.
The current homeowners, Curtis and Rachelle Kelln, who purchased the property last year, claimed they were unaware of the size restrictions. City officials were also unaware of the discrepancies, despite conducting multiple inspections during the construction process.
Jonathan Naylor, president of the Varsity View Community Association, expressed understanding towards the homeowners’ situation but supported the board’s decision to uphold the regulations. He highlighted concerns about large houses impacting neighboring properties’ privacy, shading, and green space.
While pleased with the ruling, Naylor raised questions about the oversight by the previous owner and city inspectors in detecting the violations. Douglas Tompson, a neighbor of the property, echoed support for the board’s decision but felt that not all issues were fully addressed.
Speculation arises that the matter may proceed to court due to its complexity, with the possibility of appealing the board’s decision to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board within 30 days. The Kellns refrained from commenting on their next steps, acknowledging potential challenges in modifying the structure as per the regulations.