The Saskatoon development appeals board recently upheld regulations regarding a house in the Nutana neighborhood that exceeds height limits. The board stated that granting an exception for the house would contradict the zoning bylaw’s purpose.
The three-story residence on University Drive, valued at $1.6 million, surpasses the maximum allowed height for 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 near completion, leading to a stop-work order from the city.
The current owners, Curtis and Rachelle Kelln, purchased the property from the late developer Karl Miller’s estate a year ago. They claimed ignorance of the size limits being exceeded. City staff, who conducted multiple inspections during construction, including after the Kellns took over the project, 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 prevent negative impacts on neighboring properties. While he acknowledged the owners’ predicament, he welcomed the ruling as it could set a precedent for future development in the area.
Douglas Tompson, a neighbor of the property, echoed support for the decision but expressed concerns about unresolved issues. He defended the current homeowners, labeling them as blameless victims caught in the situation.
There is speculation that the matter might proceed to court due to its complexity. The Kellns have the option to appeal the board’s decision to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board within the next 30 days. The couple refrained from commenting further as they consider their next steps, with Curtis Kelln indicating that altering the house’s structure to comply with regulations would be excessively costly and challenging.