Protect Heber Valley From Oversized Temple Ignoring Zoning Limits
Protect Heber Valley From Oversized Temple Ignoring Zoning Limits
The Issue
Construction is underway on the new Heber Valley Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But neighbors in Wasatch County are raising urgent concerns: not about the temple itself, but about its massive size, height, and impact on the surrounding community.
On August 29, a group of residents filed an emergency request in court to stop grading and construction, arguing the project dramatically exceeds local zoning restrictions. Their concern is not religious. It is about the rule of law, community planning, and the right of citizens to have their county codes respected.
The opponents point out that the temple’s proposed height and scale go beyond what is allowed in the zoning ordinance for this part of Heber Valley. In their filings, they argue that once construction advances, it will be nearly impossible to undo the harm, both to the community and to the environment. The men behind the appeal have stated clearly: they are not opposed to the temple itself, only to a structure of this size that “so dramatically violates the height and mass restrictions for the subject zone.”
The Church waited voluntarily for an earlier court ruling, but after the lawsuit was dismissed in July, work began on site preparation. Now, with appeals still pending, heavy equipment is grading the land and laying infrastructure. If zoning restrictions can be set aside for one project of this magnitude, what prevents future developments from doing the same? This is not only about one building—it’s about whether laws apply equally to everyone in Wasatch County.
We call on the Wasatch County Council, Fourth District Court Judge Jennifer Mabey, and the Utah State Court of Appeals to halt construction until all legal challenges are resolved and to ensure zoning laws are enforced as written. No community should be asked to accept development that violates its own rules.
This is not about faith—it’s about fairness.
Sign if you believe Wasatch County must enforce zoning laws and pause temple construction until the courts issue a final ruling.
[Photo Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News]
57
The Issue
Construction is underway on the new Heber Valley Utah Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. But neighbors in Wasatch County are raising urgent concerns: not about the temple itself, but about its massive size, height, and impact on the surrounding community.
On August 29, a group of residents filed an emergency request in court to stop grading and construction, arguing the project dramatically exceeds local zoning restrictions. Their concern is not religious. It is about the rule of law, community planning, and the right of citizens to have their county codes respected.
The opponents point out that the temple’s proposed height and scale go beyond what is allowed in the zoning ordinance for this part of Heber Valley. In their filings, they argue that once construction advances, it will be nearly impossible to undo the harm, both to the community and to the environment. The men behind the appeal have stated clearly: they are not opposed to the temple itself, only to a structure of this size that “so dramatically violates the height and mass restrictions for the subject zone.”
The Church waited voluntarily for an earlier court ruling, but after the lawsuit was dismissed in July, work began on site preparation. Now, with appeals still pending, heavy equipment is grading the land and laying infrastructure. If zoning restrictions can be set aside for one project of this magnitude, what prevents future developments from doing the same? This is not only about one building—it’s about whether laws apply equally to everyone in Wasatch County.
We call on the Wasatch County Council, Fourth District Court Judge Jennifer Mabey, and the Utah State Court of Appeals to halt construction until all legal challenges are resolved and to ensure zoning laws are enforced as written. No community should be asked to accept development that violates its own rules.
This is not about faith—it’s about fairness.
Sign if you believe Wasatch County must enforce zoning laws and pause temple construction until the courts issue a final ruling.
[Photo Credit: Scott G Winterton, Deseret News]
57
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition Updates
Share this petition
Petition created on August 31, 2025