"Temples are sacred and holy places for Latter-day Saints and are considered to be a house of the Lord. We are grateful that town officials from Fairview were willing to discuss the concerns of the community with Church representatives and we were able to reach an agreement to move forward," the statement read. "A new proposal is now in place that represents a mutually agreed compromise between the Church and the town and has the support of the mayor and the council…The Church looks forward to participating in this public process and presenting this new plan for a temple on the Church’s property in Fairview."
When the church presented its plans during a May 9, 2023 Planning and Zoning meeting, their application was denied by a vote of 6-1. Lawyers for the Church cited the Texas Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, arguing that these laws protect religious freedom and require the council to approve the application. They also noted that religious organizations are allowed to request zoning height exceptions for houses of worship.During two open house meetings hosted by the Church, they emphasized that the larger temple was meant to accommodate its growing population. However, many in the community opposed, maintaining that the size of the temple wouldn't suit the residential neighborhood.
More than 70 people spoke during a meeting highlighting issues of zoning laws, religious freedom, and the town's identity. Many wore shirts reading, "Fairview United: Keeping it Country." The town council ultimately opposed the revised plans 7-0 during an August 6 meeting.Church and town leadership then met for a mediation session last week, presided over by former U.S. Magistrate Jeff Kaplan. Church leadership provided updated plans for the building's construction, including a lighting analysis, traffic study, drainage study, environmental impact memo, and site plan.The workshop is an important agenda item on Tuesday's town council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. It will be a critical moment as the town decides the fate of the temple.