Las Vegas neighbors signal appeal to Nevada Supreme Court in LDS temple suit

By James Schaeffer

(KLAS) — Las Vegas residents are calling on the Supreme Court of Nevada to hear arguments regarding a city council vote on a planned temple.

On April 10, a lawyer for the Nevada Rural Preservation Alliance filed a notice of appeal to the Supreme Court of Nevada following a District Court’s dismissal on Feb. 18. The legal action against the City of Las Vegas is regarding a unanimous vote approving the construction of a temple by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The appeal follows similar efforts in Cody, Wyoming, where arguments were heard in the Supreme Court of Wyoming, according to the Cowboy State Daily.

Henry Lessner, the mayor of Fairview, Texas, mediated with the LDS Church to reduce the height and size of the proposed McKinney Texas LDS Temple, which was initially denied a building permit.

The planned Lone Mountain LDS temple will not be as high or as bright as originally planned. On Feb. 5, a light ordinance for several Las Vegas communities was amended to limit the temperature, timing, and height for lighting.

8 News Now previously spoke with a representative for the LDS Church who acknowledged the ordinance and said the church always abides by the law and will be following all the requirements.

The Las Vegas, Nevada Temple, at the foothills of Frenchman Mountain, opened in 1989, will remain under its current ordinance.