Judge tosses 2 lawsuits over Prince mansion; neighbors’ challenge moves forward

Judge says January consent agreement superseded land-use decisions at issue in the cases

PARK CITY, Utah — Two lawsuits challenging Matthew Prince’s proposed home above Old Town were dismissed Wednesday, but a separate case brought by the project’s neighbors will continue into December.

Third District Court Judge Richard Mrazik dismissed the two cases after finding a consent agreement approved by the Park City City Council in January had superseded the land-use decisions at issue in the lawsuits.

Eric and Susan Fredston-Hermann, whose property is adjacent to Prince’s King Road lot, challenged various aspects of the proposed home, namely its compliance with Park City’s historic standards.

Mrazik said the challenged decisions had effectively been replaced by the consent agreement between the city and Pesky Porcupine LLC, the entity associated with Prince’s project.

“The respective petitions to review regard land use decisions that have been superseded by something, the consent agreement specifically,” Mrazik said in his ruling.

The January agreement was approved under a Utah law that took effect in November 2025 and allows municipalities to resolve litigation over land-use decisions through consent agreements with property owners.

The Fredston-Hermanns were not parties to the agreement and have continued to challenge the city’s actions surrounding the project.

In a statement to TownLift, the couple said Wednesday’s ruling does not end their legal challenge.

“While the decision gives Prince a few more months of delay, the case was dismissed without prejudice, and we look forward to an impartial hearing on the merits on December 29,” they said.

The remaining lawsuit was filed by the Fredston-Hermanns after the City Council approved the consent agreement. It challenges the city’s use of the agreement and whether the underlying land-use issues should receive judicial review.

Clayton Scrivner,Park City Municipal’s communication director said City Council entered into the consent agreement to provide a path toward resolving multiple lawsuits. 

“While separate litigation remains, including between private parties, the City stands by its decision to resolve local land use matters locally and in accordance with applicable law,” Scrivener said in a statement to TownLift.

Prince is Utah’s richest man and co-owner of The Park Record, with his wife, Tatiana. Their proposed residence on King Road overlooks Park City’s Old Town. The project has been the subject of administrative appeals and litigation since 2024.

The remaining case is scheduled for another hearing Dec. 29.