The Saskatoon development appeals board upheld regulations regarding a tall house in the Nutana neighborhood. The board’s decision emphasized that relaxing standards for the house would go against the zoning bylaw’s purpose. The three-story home on University Drive, valued at $1.6 million, exceeds the maximum height limit by 1.4 meters and is wider than allowed.
The violations were discovered during an inspection when the house was nearly finished, leading to a stop work order by the city. The current owners, Curtis and Rachelle Kelln, who purchased the property from developer Karl Miller’s estate, claimed they were unaware of the size limits being exceeded.
Jonathan Naylor, president of the Varsity View Community Association, supported the board’s decision, stating that it upholds regulations preventing excessively large houses that could impact neighboring properties. Naylor expressed satisfaction with the ruling, as it sets a standard for development in the area.
While pleased with the outcome, Douglas Tompson, a neighbor of the property, raised concerns about unresolved issues and defended the current homeowners, labeling them as blameless victims in the situation. There is speculation that the matter could progress to the courts due to its complexity, with the option to appeal the appeals board’s decision to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board within 30 days.
The Kellns refrained from commenting on their next steps, but indicated that removing the third storey was considered impractical and costly. The situation may lead to further legal proceedings as stakeholders navigate the aftermath of the ruling.