The Fairview Town Council denied The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints a conditional use permit for the proposed McKinney Texas Temple after a four-hour meeting Tuesday night.
The public meeting, which was held in an event space rather than town hall to accommodate a bigger audience, was filled with people dressed in either white or green shirts to show their support or opposition to the proposed temple. After more than 70 people spoke, the council decided to deny the permit request without prejudice, meaning the church can present a revised plan to the planning and zoning committee and to the council without any time restrictions.
The meeting was a continuation of a June meeting where council members agreed to postpone their decision until Tuesday to allow the church more time to revise its proposal.
Those in favor of the temple argued during the public hearing that it’s necessary because of the growing church population, saying the temple in Dallas cannot accommodate the number of church members in North Texas. Some members said the temple was protected under state and federal law, and some said arguments by the opposition were misinformed.
Holly Snow, a resident of Fairview who supports construction of the temple, said houses of worship in almost all Christian faiths have steeples, even though those are likely not required by their doctrines.
“Christians can worship in a building that does not have a cross, yet I would never say steeples and crosses are not an important part of their faith,” she said. “I would never suggest to my Christian neighbors that the steeple on their church is just a meaningless symbol or to my Catholic neighbors that the cross on their church blocks my view and has no purpose.”
Those against the temple raised concerns about the potential impact on property values of homes near the site, lighting and traffic. Church representatives denied that would be an issue should the temple be built.
Both speakers and council members repeated throughout the meeting that opposition to the temple is about its proposed size, not its religious affiliation.
Karen Sowards, a resident of McKinney who use to be a teacher in the church, suggested the church consider designing the temple like one in Paris, which has about the same square footage but no steeple or spire.
“It is lovely, elegant and it is still a temple. It is a place to make covenants with the church or church members,” she said. “I encourage the cooperation of the president to replicate — with maybe some modifications — the Paris France Temple for the Prosper-McKinney-Fairview-North Texas temple.”
While the meeting took place, hundreds of people gathered outside the building. While the church estimated that thousands of people would show up to Tuesday’s meeting as they did at the June meeting, Melissa McKneely, a spokesperson for the church, said many people likely opted to watch the meeting’s livestream at watch parties hosted by the church.
After the meeting, McKneely said she felt proud of the church members who spoke.
“We are disappointed with tonight’s vote by the Fairview city council and express gratitude for the tireless efforts of those who worked to provide correct and positive information to the community about the temple project,” a statement from the church said.
The statement said the vote is “part of an ongoing process seeking building approval,” and McKneely said the church is evaluating its options and could not provide any information about what steps are next.
Devika Chand said after the meeting that she felt sad for the church members after they heard the permit had been denied, but she believes it was the right thing for the community.
“I think that if the compassion can be both ways, then I really think it can move forward. But we’re not being compassionate both ways,” she said.
Sowards, who chatted with Chand after the meeting, said she thought the town council was “very reasonable” to deny the church’s application without prejudice. If the church’s application had been denied with prejudice, they would have to wait at least a year before resubmitting.
“This whole thing was unnecessary. That’s what it was,” she said. “Be a good neighbor. Build it at 42 feet.”