Fairview United

Fairview United is a group of residents residing in the small country town of Fairview, Texas. The community currently lives harmoniously amongst multiple faiths, and prides itself on being welcoming to all forms of worship.

Unfortunately, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, is aggressively pursuing a 65 ft building with a 173’ 8” ft. tall, 44,000 square foot temple as close as 500 feet from homes in Residential (RE-1) zoning. The LDS already benefit from the most favorable zoning exception for height in the town with its existing Meeting House. The scope and scale is not only in direct violation of existing residential ordinances and precedents, it dwarfs every other structure built in the district and ultimately demonstrates lack of respect for the neighborhood.

Despite pleas for neighborly negotiation, the Town and residents have faced threats of a lawsuit by the LDS attorney, going so far as to state that a lawsuit could “bankrupt the town,” creating a David and Goliath dynamic for the small town. Many are saddened by the intrusion from Salt Lake City leadership demands that suppress the opinions of the few local LDS residents.

Prior to the proposed temple, Fairview Planning and Zoning and the Town Council have been careful to craft and to follow its ordinances when reviewing what was previously proposed on this large parcel of land. RE-1 zoning regulations were put in place to protect the nearby residential properties from such intrusive developments, ensuring that buildings within these zones do not exceed certain structure height, lighting, and utilization, maintaining the character and tranquility of our neighborhoods.

If this project is allowed to proceed, it will set not only a dangerous precedent for future developments in Fairview, but will jeopardize our dark skies ordinance, the nocturnal environment, and local wildlife. It sends a message that any town's zoning laws can be disregarded at will. Fairview residents understand the importance of places for religious worship like churches, but believe there are more suitable structures within residential zones.

Fairview residents have banded together in a grassroots effort to urge the Town Council to uphold its commitment to its residents by enforcing existing zoning laws. They are asking not only for themselves, but also for future generations who have the right to enjoy their homes without looming megastructures on their doorsteps. This document, put together by a Fairview resident, covers most of the major issues.

Please consider donating to our cause. Your efforts will fund research, marketing, and ultimately help us get the word out. Scroll down to Take Action

The Proposed Structure

This building size and scale are completely inappropriate for our residential areas

Project Location

Stacy Road just west of Meandering Way in Fairview, TX. The land is zoned for residential, and churches have been allowed to build there, including an LDS meeting house. The proposed new temple is too large for this location. Read more..

Proposed Temple

Proposed temple towering over the town and local homes. Why would anyone even propose a 65' building and 173' steeple in an area where the zoning height limit is 35'?

Not Dark Sky Compliant

The current LDS meeting house has been out of compliance for 8 years. This proposed temple will be far worse. We value nature and dark skies. Why do they not respect our values and ordinances?

Traffic Issues

Stacy Road is already heavily travelled. This temple will cause significant additional congestion. No comprehensive traffic study has been done. The LDS prelim study suggests adding many traffic signals and connecting a road to Meandering Way. Link to LDS traffic study.

How Can You Help?

Take the actions listed (join the email list, sign the petition, and send a direct email to the town staff)

Stay informed and involved. It could be a long process and we can't afford to become complacent.

Please consider donating to our cause. Your efforts will fund research, marketing, and ultimately help us get the word out.

Join Email List

Sign the Petitions

This online petition asks our town council to reject the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) unless the building size is reduced to comply with our residential zoning ordinances. Anyone can sign the online petition.

There is also a physical petition circulating for all Fairview residents only (over 18 years old). Drive-thru petition signing locations will be announced, so please look for opportunities to sign this important physical petition.

Send a Direct Email to the Town Staff

Email you concerns opposition to the CUP to the Fairview Town Staff (Israel Roberts - iroberts@fairviewtexas.org). This email will be included in the packet received by Town Council, and part of the official records. See a sample of letters already sent. | Sample Letter 1 | Sample Letter 2 |

Spread the Word

Help spread the word. Many are unaware of the negative consequences to our town if this oversized structure is approved.

News Stories: | LDS bullying small towns |
Videos | Fairview Town Council Meeting, with introductory information & Commentary | An LDS member counters the LDS arguments | Mormonish Podcast - LDS Coaching Members |
LDS Communication Messages to their members have been misleading and deceptive. A building shouldn't be built on a foundation of lies and deceit. | A sample of their false information |
Many LDS members are bravely speaking out against these mega-temples: | Letter to Leadership | post by a member |
Here are the CUPs for church buildings in Fairview:
| Faith Church DocA DocB | Chase Oaks | Friendship | LDS Meeting House (tallest steeple exception) | Creekwood UMC DocA DocB | Proof that Creekwood UMC was not granted a 154' bell tower |
The proposed Temple will cast a shadow on neighboring homes: Render A Render B

Frequently asked questions

How is the proposed building out of compliance with the zoning?
The land is zoned for residential construction, which has a 35' height limit. They are proposing a 65' tall building with a 173' tall steeple. Both are significantly out of compliance. In addition, the lighting proposed will not meet our dark sky ordinance.
What is RLUIPA, and why does the LDS think it allows them to ignore our zoning regulations?
the Federal Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) was passed in 2000 after being written by some LDS senators. It give churches and other religious assemblies and organizations, such as home Bible studies, the protection of specific federal statutes against overly burdensome, restrictive, or discriminatory land use regulation. It's still being tested in the courts, but in general, having to comply with reasonable zoning restrictions is still required. The LDS leadership is telling their members to claim that a tall steeple is part of their religious practice, but there is ample evidence to the contrary. RLUIPA interpretation 1 | RLUIPA interpretation 2 |
Why shouldn't the town allow them to build whatever they want?
If the town allows the temple to be built so far above the zoning height limits, it will set a new precedent. Any other religion can now build to those heights on any residential parcel in town - or they can claim the town is discriminating against their religion. If other churches were denied past requests, they could sue the town for being denied equal religious rights. The LDS meeting house already got the highest exemption with their existing 68' steeple - which still, 8 years later, violates the town lighting ordinances.

Timeline

This proposed temple had been announced for Prosper, TX in 2022. Suddenly, in 2024, the location changed and the LDS requested the zoning variation CUP be presented at the Town of Fairview Planning and Zoning Meeting.

Mar, 2024

LDS officially approached the town to request a Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

Apr 11, 2024

Project presented at the Fairview P&Z. Agenda item: Conduct a public hearing, consider and make a recommendation on a request for approval of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for a religious facility. The 8.1-acre site is located on the north side of Stacy Road, west of Meandering Way and is zoned for the (RE-1) One-acre Ranch Estate District. Applicant: Tom Coppin, Kimley-Horn and Associates representing owners The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The Commission received a request for a continuance of the item and public hearing to the May 9, 2024, meeting of the Planning and Zoning Commission.
The Commission passed the motion by a vote of Yes 7, No 0, Abstained 0.

May 03, 2024

LDS advertises an open house to discuss the project. There was not much discussion, just lawyers telling local residents that they had to approve it or the LDS would sue the town.

May 09, 2024

CUP comes up at the P&Z meeting and is denied by a vote of 6-1.

Jun 04, 2024

LDS takes the CUP request directly to the Town Council. Hours before the meeting, they request a continuance to Aug 6th. The LDS brought in hundreds of people who took up the seating and overflowed outside of the larger meeting space the town had rented.