The Saskatoon development appeals board has upheld regulations concerning a house in the Nutana neighborhood that exceeds height and width restrictions. The board determined that relaxing the standards for the house would go against the zoning bylaw’s purpose. The three-story residence on University Drive, valued at $1.6 million, surpasses the maximum height limit for homes in established areas by 1.4 meters and also exceeds the width allowance.
The violations were discovered during an inspection when the house was nearly finished in May, leading the city to issue a stop work order. The current owners, Curtis and Rachelle Kelln, who purchased the property a year ago from the late developer Karl Miller’s estate, claimed they were unaware of the size limitations.
Jonathan Naylor, president of the Varsity View Community Association, expressed understanding for the owners’ predicament but supported the board’s decision to enforce the regulations. He emphasized the importance of regulations in preventing oversized homes that could impact neighboring properties’ privacy, shading, and drainage.
Although pleased with the ruling, Naylor raised concerns about the oversight by the previous owner, developer, and city inspectors. Douglas Tompson, a resident near the property, also welcomed the decision but felt not all issues were fully addressed.
Speculation arises that the matter may progress to the courts due to its complexity. The Kellns have the option to appeal the development appeals board’s decision to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board within the next 30 days. The couple refrained from commenting further as they consider their next course of action, with potential challenges in altering the house’s structure at additional expense.