The Saskatoon development appeals board recently upheld regulations regarding a home in the Nutana neighborhood that exceeded height limits. The board’s decision emphasized that relaxing the standards for the house would contradict the zoning bylaw’s purpose.
Situated on University Drive, the three-story residence, valued at $1.6 million, surpasses the maximum permitted height for homes in established areas by 1.4 meters and also exceeds the width limit. City authorities discovered these violations during an inspection when construction was near completion, prompting a stop work order.
The current owners, Curtis and Rachelle Kelln, acquired the property from developer Karl Miller’s estate a year ago. They claimed ignorance of the size limits breach. Interestingly, neither the city nor the previous owner detected the discrepancies during multiple inspections conducted throughout the construction process.
Jonathan Naylor, president of the Varsity View Community Association, expressed understanding for the homeowners while supporting the board’s ruling. He highlighted the importance of regulations preventing excessively large houses, which can impact neighboring properties’ privacy, shading, and drainage.
Despite the decision, Naylor raised concerns about how the violations went unnoticed during construction. Douglas Tompson, a neighbor, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the current homeowners are blameless in the situation.
Speculation abounds that the matter may end up in court due to its complexity. The Kellns are considering their next steps, with one option being the demolition and reconstruction of the house to comply with regulations. The decision by the development appeals board can be appealed to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board within the next month.
