Following regulations is essential, as emphasized by the Saskatoon development appeals board in its recent ruling on a residence in Nutana that exceeds height restrictions.
The board’s decision, announced on Thursday, highlighted that granting exceptions for the house would contradict the zoning bylaw’s purpose.
This three-story property on University Drive, valued at $1.6 million, surpasses the permitted height for homes in established neighborhoods by 1.4 meters and also exceeds the width limit.
The breaches were identified during an inspection in May when the construction was near completion, prompting the city to issue a stop work order.
The current owners, Curtis and Rachelle Kelln, purchased the house a year ago from the late developer Karl Miller’s estate, who tragically died in a road accident in 2023.
They claimed they were unaware of the property’s non-compliance with size regulations.
Prior to the Kellns, city inspectors conducted nine inspections while Miller was alive, and two more after another company was hired to complete the construction, failing to detect any discrepancies.
Local Resident Supports Verdict
Jonathan Naylor, president of the Varsity View Community Association adjacent to Nutana, expressed understanding for the owners’ predicament while commending the board’s ruling.
Naylor emphasized the importance of upholding regulations to prevent oversized properties that can negatively impact neighboring properties. He mentioned concerns about privacy, shading, drainage, and reduced green spaces due to large constructions.
The City of Saskatoon’s development appeals board has decided construction on an oversized, $1.6-million home can’t continue. The 306 hears from the president of the Varsity View Community Association and a neighbor.
Naylor expressed satisfaction with the ruling, highlighting the potential impact on development in Nutana, Varsity View, and other city areas if exceptions were granted.
Despite the decision, Naylor raised questions about why the previous owner and city inspectors did not notice the height violations.