The Saskatoon development appeals board has upheld regulations regarding a house in the Nutana neighborhood that exceeds height and width limits. The board determined that granting leniency for the property would go against zoning laws. The three-story residence on University Drive, valued at $1.6 million, surpasses the permitted height for established neighborhoods by 1.4 meters and is wider than allowed.
The violations came to light during an inspection when the house was nearing completion in May. The city issued a stop work order at that time. The current owners, Curtis and Rachelle Kelln, who purchased the property from the late developer Karl Miller’s estate, were unaware of the size discrepancies. City officials were also unaware of the violations despite conducting multiple inspections during construction.
Jonathan Naylor, president of the Varsity View Community Association, supported the board’s decision, emphasizing the importance of upholding regulations to prevent negative impacts on neighboring properties. While he sympathized with the homeowners’ situation, he highlighted the potential adverse effects of oversized houses on privacy, shading, and green spaces in the area.
Douglas Tompson, a neighbor of the property, praised the board’s ruling but expressed concerns about unresolved issues. He defended the current homeowners, stating they were blameless victims caught in the situation. Both Naylor and Tompson speculated that the matter might proceed to court due to its complexity.
The decision by the development appeals board, chaired by Nick Sackville, can be appealed to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board within the next 30 days. The Kellns refrained from commenting as they contemplate their next steps, with one option being the costly redesign and reconstruction of the non-compliant portion of the house.
