The Saskatoon development appeals board has decided that rules must be followed, ruling against a house in the Nutana neighborhood that exceeds the maximum height and width allowed by city regulations. The three-story house on University Drive, valued at $1.6 million, surpasses the height limit by 1.4 meters and exceeds the width restriction for established neighborhoods. The violations were discovered during an inspection when the construction was almost finished, leading the city to issue a stop work order.
The current owners, Curtis and Rachelle Kelln, purchased the property a year ago without knowledge of the size limitations. Surprisingly, the city inspectors and the previous owner, Karl Miller, who passed away in 2023, were also unaware of the violations during multiple inspections throughout the construction process.
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. Naylor expressed satisfaction with the ruling, as it sets a precedent for responsible development in the area.
Douglas Tompson, a resident near the property, echoed support for the decision while highlighting concerns that not all issues were addressed. He defended the current homeowners, stating their innocence in the situation and suggesting that an appeal would have set a problematic precedent.
The future of the case remains uncertain, with speculations that it may proceed to court due to its complexity. The Kellns are considering their next steps, with Curtis Kelln indicating that altering the house to comply with regulations would involve significant demolition and reconstruction costs. The decision of the development appeals board can be appealed to the Saskatchewan Municipal Board within the next 30 days.