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' I <br /> replacement, restoration, maintenance, or improvement, but not � <br /> including expansion . . . . <br /> (b) A municipality may, by ordinance, permit an expansion or impose <br /> upon nonconformities reasonable regulations to prevent and abate <br /> nuisances and to protect the public health, welfare, or safety. <br /> (Emphasis added.)3 Krummenacher argues that because the plain language of paragraph <br /> (a) of subdivision 1 e prohibits the expansion of any nonconformity, the City's decision <br /> allowing Liebeler to expand her nonconforming garage must be reversed. The City <br /> argues that subdivision 1 e(a) restricts the ability of property owners to expand <br /> nonconforming uses, but that under subdivision le(b), a municipality is permitted to <br /> allow an expansion pursuant to ordinance. <br /> The construction of a statute is a question of law that we review de novo. Clark v. <br /> Lindquist, 683 N.W.2d 784, 785 (Minn. 2004).4 To interpret a statute, we first assess <br /> 3 In its brief, the City cites the 2009 version of section 462. 357, subdivision le(a) <br /> which reads: <br /> Except as othenvise p��ovided by Zaw, any nonconfortnity, including the <br /> lawful use or occupation of land or premises e�sting at the time of the <br /> adoption of an additional control under fhis chapter, may be continued, <br /> including through repair, replacement, restoration, maintenance, or <br /> improvement, but not including expansion . . . . <br /> Muin. Stat. § 462.357 (Supp. 2009} (new language in italics). The "except as otherwise <br /> provided" language in this version of subdivision 1 e(a), however, did not become <br /> effective until May 22, 2009, which was after the City granted the variance. See Act of <br /> May 21, 2009, ch. 149, § 4, 2009 Minn. Laws 2025, 2028. We therefore do not rely on <br /> this version of the statute. We apply the 2008 version of subdivision 1 e, the version of <br /> the staiute in effect when the variance was granted. <br /> 4 Liebeler did not propose to expand the footprint of her garage, and it is undisputed <br /> that even as remodeled the garage would still be 17 feet from the yard line. In other <br /> (Footnote continued on next page.) <br /> 7 <br />