- Lone Mountain locals fear temple threatens community fabric
- Enormous 216-foot temple to dwarf neighborhood homes
- Residents committed to preserving area’s rural charm
Residents of the Lone Mountain neighborhood in Las Vegas are voicing strong opposition to the construction of a 216-foot Mormon temple, which they fear will disrupt their rural lifestyle and lead to further urbanization. The planned 87,000-square-foot temple is causing concern primarily because of its height, which far exceeds the typical building dimensions in the area.
“The height of this proposed temple is our main concern—it’s going to block the beautiful, scenic views we cherish in our community,” said Bob Quinn, a local resident who works at the nearby A Great Smile Dental.
Concerns are also being raised about the potential violation of local zoning agreements. The Interlocal Agreement between the City of Las Vegas and Clark County, designed to preserve the community’s rural nature, stipulates restrictions on residential development, such as limiting building heights to two stories and requiring a minimum lot size of half an acre.
The proposed temple, standing at 216 feet, starkly contrasts with community guidelines that cap building heights at 35 feet.
To visually demonstrate their concerns, residents of the community recently launched a seven-foot helium balloon to the proposed height of 216 feet. This act was intended to highlight the significant impact the temple would have on the local skyline.
Despite these objections, a recent city report found that the temple project does not violate the Interlocal Agreement, as it does not specifically address religious or governmental buildings. Bud Stoddard, stake president of the Las Vegas Lone Mountain Stake of the Mormon church, acknowledged the community’s concerns but noted that the decision on the temple’s height was not his to make.
The controversy highlights a broader tension between preserving community character and accommodating institutional developments. As discussions continue, the residents of Lone Mountain are bracing for a long debate over the future of their neighborhood.