Permit Denied for McKinney Temple

[Amulek]

Latest development: here 

The stake president in Allen (note: Fairview is in the Allen, TX stake) sent a letter to the town asking them to reaffirm their commitment to the mediated design in hopes of avoiding litigation.

Looks like the town council is going to meet next week to discuss, but the mayor's initial comments / rhetoric aren't especially positive. He's still pretty whiny about not being able to meet with an uppity-up from the church (as though that would make a difference).

I believe we have until 3/28 to file suit, so it looks like this is a last ditch effort to get the town to change it's tune. 

Edited March 19, 2025 by Amulek

[Calm]

4 hours ago, Amulek said:

as though that would make a difference

He might think he could talk the Church into donating something in exchange (new library or city rec center).

[ZealouslyStriving]

6 hours ago, Amulek said:

He's still pretty whiny about not being able to meet with an uppity-up from the church (as though that would make a difference).

I found his request rather bizarre. I think he's still under the impression that the Church is just some weird little cult, not a international religious organization.

Or he is just filled with a tremendous amount of hubris and believes this is his chance to convince Church leaders how deceived they are and that they are actually leading a cult.

[Calm]

1 hour ago, ZealouslyStriving said:

I found his request rather bizarre. I think he's still under the impression that the Church is just some weird little cult, not a international religious organization.

Or he is just filled with a tremendous amount of hubris and believes this is his chance to convince Church leaders how deceived they are and that they are actually leading a cult.

Quote

“After more than a year, I as the highest elected official in the Town of Fairview, still have not met anyone who is a decision-maker in the LDS church. All we see are attorneys,” he said.

It sounds like he wants to have a meeting where there can be resolution, rather than the ending of “I have to discuss this with my boss and get back with you”.

He may be even aware that an apostle will be at every temple dedication and has every reason to assume getting the temple built is therefore important enough to get someone beyond an attorney.

Edited March 20, 2025 by Calm

[Amulek]

On 3/19/2025 at 6:15 PM, Calm said:

He might think he could talk the Church into donating something in exchange (new library or city rec center).

I suspect he just wants to be able to say that he presented the town's case to the church, so he can then turn around and say the church doesn't care.

Here's the thing with that whole 'decision maker' nonsense: unlike the Church, the Mayor is the highest elected decision maker, but he isn't the ultimate decision maker for the Town of Fairview. It isn't like he can just sit down with the Prophet, man to man, and come to a binding agreement. He can say anything he wants - he's still just one vote out of seven.

So why should anyone of importance agree to meet with him? Especially when we've already seen that he has a record of speaking out of both sides of his mouth. Seems entirely pointless to me.

 

[webbles]

The church has filed a new application to build the temple.  https://www.deseret.com/faith/2025/03/25/church-submits-application-for-smaller-mckinney-texas-temple-fairview/

[Amulek]

Update: here or here.

The Church has hit the pause button on its intent to sue and has now submitted plans based on the mediated dimensions. 

Based on the renderings in the Deseret News article, I like version 3.0 more than 2.0 (seen here).

Nothing has been scheduled yet, but I look forward to attending the P&Z meeting when it pops up sometime here in the next couple of months.

 

[Calm]

42 minutes ago, Amulek said:

Update: here or here.

The Church has hit the pause button on its intent to sue and has now submitted plans based on the mediated dimensions. 

Based on the renderings in the Deseret News article, I like version 3.0 more than 2.0 (seen here).

Nothing has been scheduled yet, but I look forward to attending the P&Z meeting when it pops up sometime here in the next couple of months.

 

FYI, for those viewing the Dallas News, it also has the option of using “show reader” to read the article without signing up for anything. (This may not work on your phone)

[JustAnAustralian]

16 hours ago, Amulek said:

now submitted plans based on the mediated dimensions. 

It's going to be really interesting to see how it goes from here.

[ZealouslyStriving]

My guess is that Fairview will reject it and force a lawsuit. They seem to enjoy the David vs. Goliath narrative they are trying to create.

[Amulek]

On 3/28/2025 at 4:46 PM, ZealouslyStriving said:

My guess is that Fairview will reject it and force a lawsuit.

Maybe. I'm pretty confident P&Z will reject it again, but I tend to think the town leaders understand that denying the application a second time would put them in a very precarious legal position. 

It's hard to say for sure though. The current mayor will be gone here in a month. The incoming mayor was the mayor pro tem previously and voted against it before. I guess we'll see what he decides to do when we get to that point.

 

[Amulek]

Poised to now rush though the approval process, per the Dallas Morning News:

Quote

In an expedited permit application, the town will consider plans for the McKinney Texas Temple [...]

The town’s planning and zoning commission is scheduled to consider the plans submitted by the church, widely known as the Mormon church, on April 24. Fairview’s Town Council could make the final vote on April 29. 

The meetings will take place at Fairview’s council chambers at 372 Town Place and will be livestreamed, the town announced. Fairview’s planning and zoning commission is scheduled to consider the new application on April 24 at 7 p.m. The town council is expected to take up the matter the following week, on April 29 at 6 p.m.

Town and church leaders want to consider the application before the May 3 election, which will change the town council’s composition.

 

Circumstances prevented me from attending previous sessions in person, but I'm hopeful I might be able to make it later this month. 

The compromised plan is still higher than what 'the people' want, so if the town ends up rushing this through - quickly, and in opposition to popular opinion, I may just want to be there with my popcorn.

 

Edited April 11, 2025 by Amulek

[JVW]

7 minutes ago, Amulek said:

Poised to now rush though the approval process, per the Dallas Morning News:

 

Circumstances prevented me from attending previous sessions in person, but I'm hopeful I might be able to make it later this month. 

The compromised plan is still higher than what 'the people' want, so if the town ends up rushing this through - quickly, and in opposition to popular opinion, I may just want to be there with my popcorn.

 

Thanks for keeping us all in the loop. I really have enjoyed following this saga and I'm inspired by how plugged in you are as a citizen in your community.

[Amulek]

On 4/11/2025 at 12:06 PM, JVW said:

Thanks for keeping us all in the loop. I really have enjoyed following this saga and I'm inspired by how plugged in you are as a citizen in your community.

It's been fascinating to witness the process from 'up close' as well.

It turns out I've got a work requirement that's likely going to prevent me from being able get in line early enough to be inside for the P&Z meeting this Thursday, so I may end up having to just watch the livestream like everyone else. 

The Church has asked for members not residing in Fairview to abstain from making comments at the meeting, which is probably for the best - both for the Church and for me, as I would probably end up saying something that would end up getting myself on the evening news.  

[Amulek]

P&Z meeting to be live streamed at 7pm Central, here, and will probably run for at least two hours.

The chamber only seats 50 people which will be divided on a first come, first admitted basis: 25 for residents and 25 for non-residents.

With my work schedule and the limited number of slots, I probably won't be getting in, but I'll swing by and check things out. Ultimately, I'll probably just go home and watch online like everyone else. Look for additional updates later tonight / tomorrow.

 

[Amulek]

Made it in (first five non-residents admitted), so maybe we'll live blog this sucker. 

Observation one: turnout is significantly smaller. We've had thunderstorms throughout the day today, so that may be part of it. Fatigue may be playing a roll as well. 

[Amulek]

Thirty seven minutes to start time. Far more residents than non-residents present. Based on shirt colors, the majority of residents are on the opposition side, but there are more supportive residents than I may have guessed. In aggregate, I would say there are more supporters than opponents in the room.

Edited April 24, 2025 by Amulek

[bluebell]

I'm more excited than I should be about getting to see how this plays out live. 

[Amulek]

6:40 - They're in closed session with (own) legal counsel now. Remainder of Church attorneys just showed up. Should be kicking things off here in a bit.

 

[Amulek]

Noticed that the room has all six flags that have flown over Texas. Tactfully, they went with the first Confederate flag, rather than the stars and bars. Probably for the best.

[Amulek]

Couple minutes late, but they are coming in now.

[Amulek]

Staff is presenting proposal now. So far, nothing new. Setback, lot coverage, etc. all within spec or no greater than previously allowed. Sewage not officially settled yet, but it won't be a problem with Allen.

[Amulek]

No further questions for staff. Proposal from application being presented by attorney now.

[Amulek]

Question from board a about lighting. Previously, the church had talked about turning the lights off at night. Now that we are going to be under the nighttime output levels we don't plan on turning the lights off at night.

[Amulek]

Asking a lot of nitpicking questions about square footage, roof coverage, etc. One of the guys went down the 'is the height necessary for religious use' line of questions.