Sun sets on city sunroom

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This article was published 15/05/2018 (2143 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Steinbach resident received a rare rebuke on Tuesday night, as Steinbach city council denied a variance application for a sunroom addition constructed without a city building permit.

An administrative report provided to council noted that city staff visited the Edgewood Street property last year while the addition was under construction and issued a violation notice for it proceeding without a building permit. Construction continued unabated.

With the addition of the sunroom, a rear yard setback of just over 12 feet has been created, when a 25 foot setback is normally required.

The applicant, Theodor Sawatzky, stated in his variance application that his builder indicated no permit was required to construct the sunroom atop an existing deck.

Sawatzky did not appear at the meeting.

“That makes it even more straight forward,” said Councillor Michael Zwaagstra, who referenced the old saying of it being easier to ask forgiveness than get permission.

“That saying does not hold true when it comes to building permits and variances,” he cautioned.

Zwaagstra received unanimous support with a motion to deny the variance application, meaning the house must be returned to its original condition.

“The owner will have no option but to remove the structure,” city manager Troy Warkentin confirmed to council.

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