LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – Crowds showed up to support a plan for a new temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as neighbors continue their fierce opposition to the proposal.
The Las Vegas Planning Commission approved the Site Development Review in a vote of 6 to 1, adding conditions to address residents’ concerns: before the church moves into the temple, the building must meet lighting standards for the neighborhood and must turn off parking lot lights overnight.
The project moves forward to a full City Council vote on July 17.
Hundreds of church members wore blue shirts and “vote yes” stickers, crowding the steps of Las Vegas City Hall. They also launched a counter-petition drawing close to 10,000 signatures. Church members voiced a need for a second temple on the other side of town; the only temple for 85,000 people lies at the edge of Sunrise Mountain on the far east side.
In late 2022, church leaders announced plans for a second temple at the 20-acre site off North Grand Canyon Road. City documents stated the height of the steeple would be 216 feet. The temple would be 70,000 square feet and a meeting hall would be 15,000 square feet. Parking would be required to accommodate visitors.
“I know I’m looking forward to it. I live super close to it and I know it would benefit me greatly,” said church member Emma Brummett, who said family members also came to show support. “We can drive a lot quicker and be there more often,” she said.
In March, the City Council of Las Vegas voted to amend longstanding code in the district, paving the way for houses of worship to apply for a Special Use Permit to build in the area.
Concerned Neighbors launched a fierce opposition, created a petition with more than 5,000 signatures and launched a Preserve Rural Las Vegas website. Various neighbors have expressed concerns over traffic and the massive footprint, but many take issue with the height and lighting proposals in a rural area.
Long-time rural zoning restrictions for the Lone Mountain area limit projects with massive footprints and height and lighting restrictions.
“It’s too big and just doesn’t fit into the area,” said concerned neighbor Matt Hackley. “This isn’t an anti-church movement at all. This is simply a grassroots movement of our neighborhood to protect its rural status,” Hackley said.
Numerous residents own and ride horses, and voiced concerns about the safety to continue to do so. Community members are also lobbying Clark County leaders as the project progresses through city and county commissions.
Leaders for the church recently released renderings for the proposal. A spokesperson for the project before the planning commission said the temple site is not a place for carnivals or large events.
“Temples are so special, they are so significant. We build them, and then we dedicate them to God, they are literally a house of the Lord. Things like the size and the height of the building are part of the deep religious meaning and symbolism of the building itself,” said Bud Stoddard, stake president of the Lone Mountain Stake, who spoke to FOX5 several weeks ago.
“We will be evaluating ways that we can address some of the concerns that have been raised by the neighbors,” Stoddard said.
The City of Las Vegas said the proposed temple will now head to City Council for another full presentation, and then a vote on the project. y documents state as soon as the project is approved, it could be built in 36 months.
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