Sunset Planning Commission approves reduced stone wainscot for 325 West 1300 North

The Sunset Planning Commission voted unanimously to allow applicant Matt Carter to reduce the stone (wainscot) height on interior residential façades of the Sunset mixed‑use development at 325 West 1300 North from 10 feet to 3 feet, while keeping all façades that face 1300 North unchanged and requiring that at least 50% of garage frontages remain at 10 feet at the builder’s discretion.

Why it matters: Commissioners said the change balances visual variety with the developer’s aim to lower construction costs and preserve affordability. Chair (speaker 1) and multiple commissioners pressed for a measurable condition to ensure the streetscape retains substantial stone coverage, settling on a 50% minimum for garage frontages.

Applicant Matt Carter said the request was intended to reduce material costs and keep prices down for buyers. "I'm just asking for a change on the amount of stone or rock we're gonna put around the buildings on the interior of the development from 10 feet down to 3 feet wainscot," Carter said, adding that façades facing 1300 North would remain at the existing 10‑foot treatment. He told the commission the commercial façades fronting 1300 would not be changed.

Commissioners discussed how the treatment would be applied around garage doors and across varied unit sizes. Commissioner Page (speaker 4) recommended wrapping the stone to the bottom of windows where possible and suggested consistent banding across garage faces to improve appearance. Another commissioner raised the possibility of using a 4‑foot band for better proportion but acknowledged cost pressures.

To balance cost savings and design, the commission set a performance condition: no fewer than 50% of garage frontages within the project must retain the 10‑foot stone treatment (or equivalent full‑height wrap) while permitting the interior façades and some garage faces to be reduced to a 3‑foot wainscot. A commissioner made the motion to approve the change with that condition; Commissioner Page seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

The commission asked Carter to provide a rendering and noted the developer expects to have a physical example on site within about three weeks. Staff stated the change was a minor modification that does not require further City Council review.

The commission did not identify any new legal authorities during the discussion. The action is limited to the material‑treatment condition approved at the meeting and carries a builder‑discretion clause within the 50% minimum requirement.