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Planning Commission backs amendment to Westfield Central plan that relaxes siding rules to lower costs
Summary
The Planning Commission unanimously recommended amending the Westfield Central New Neighborhood Plan to remove a prohibition on artificial wood-texture siding and to allow transparent stains for visible wood, a change staff said aims to reduce construction costs and improve housing affordability.
The Springville Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend an amendment to the Westfield Central New Neighborhood Plan that removes a prohibition on artificial wood-texture siding and eliminates a requirement that visible wood be finished with opaque stain. Speaker 3, the staff presenter, told commissioners the change is intended to lower construction costs and help make homes more affordable.
Commissioners asked whether samples had been reviewed and how the change interacts with the plan’s intent to preserve material authenticity. Speaker 2, who described the original standard as rooted in new urbanism principles, said the provision was intended to prevent non-wood products being marketed or finished to appear as real wood. Speaker 3 said Josh and Laura had reviewed samples and were comfortable with the proposed change and that the developer Lafferty had shown cost differences that prompted the request.
Several commissioners expressed concern that the city is now being asked to change a requirement that was codified when the traditional neighborhood plan was adopted. Speaker 4 said altering design standards after buyers have purchased homes can lower property values for early purchasers and pose potential liabilities; Speaker 3 replied the provision was codified as part of the regulating plan, so the city must amend the code rather than relying on CC&Rs or developer enforcement.
With no members of the public speaking during the hearing, Speaker 2 moved to recommend approval of the amendment, including staff’s request to remove the specific exterior wood-finish specifications, and Speaker 4 seconded. The motion passed unanimously. The commission will forward the recommendation to the City Council for its consideration.
The amendment as described by staff would continue to require higher-grade fiber-cement siding but would permit smooth finishes rather than mandating a textured wood-grain finish; staff said the intent is to preserve material quality while reducing incremental cost.
