Second look at building code halts controversial mansion project

The Board of Adjustment hereby grants the appeal and reverses the Planning Director’s approval of the Historic District Design Review.

PARK CITY, Utah — A contentious 3-2 vote on November 12 by the Park City Board of Adjustment granted Eric and Susan Hermann’s appeal of Matthew Prince’s Historic District design approval for his mansion on King Road. Following the vote, the board was tasked with finalizing an action letter outlining the specific instances where Park City Planning Director Rebecca Ward erred in approving the Historic District Design Review.

The action letter identifies three specific areas of the Land Management Code where errors led the Board of Adjustment to grant the appeal and reverse the Planning Director’s approval.

Key Issues with the Proposed Home’s Historic Design Review Compliance

• Respecting the Land’s Natural Features: The building and site design do not fit with the natural slope of the land. Instead, the design involves excessive cutting and retaining walls, resulting in a large, overwhelming structure that doesn’t blend with the land’s natural shape. Land Management Code Section 15-13-8(A)(1)(5)
• Compatibility with Historic Building Sizes: The front of the building is too wide compared to the historic buildings nearby. Land Management Code Section 15-13-8(B)(2)(a)(9).
• Retaining Wall Design: The retaining walls are not designed to gradually step with the land, like historic retaining walls in the area. Instead, their size and design are out of scale and inconsistent with the historical look. Land Management Code Section 15-13-8(B)(1)(d).

With the reversal of the Historic District Design Review approval now granted, the project is stalled and likely headed to Third District Court.