In a recent ruling, the Saskatoon development appeals board upheld regulations regarding the height of a house located in Nutana, despite it exceeding the permitted dimensions. The three-story property on University Drive, valued at $1.6 million, surpasses the maximum height allowance by 1.4 meters and also exceeds the width restrictions for homes in established neighborhoods. The violations were discovered during an inspection when the house was nearing completion in May, prompting a stop work order from the city.
The current homeowners, Curtis and Rachelle Kelln, who acquired the property from the late developer Karl Miller’s estate, appealed the decision. They claimed to be unaware of the size limitations. City officials were also unaware of the discrepancies, despite conducting multiple inspections during the construction phase. The Varsity View Community Association’s president, Jonathan Naylor, expressed support for the board’s ruling, emphasizing the importance of regulations in preventing oversized structures that could impact neighboring properties negatively.
Despite the decision, questions remain regarding how the violations went unnoticed by the previous owner and city inspectors. Douglas Tompson, a local resident near the property, echoed support for the current homeowners, stating they were not to blame for the situation. Speculation arises that the issue may escalate to the courts due to its complexity. The Kellns are evaluating their next steps, considering the challenges and costs associated with potentially modifying the structure to comply with regulations. The development appeals board’s decision can be contested at the Saskatchewan Municipal Board within the next 30 days.
