SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivered a letter to the mayor of Fairview, Texas, on Monday, pleading with city leaders to uphold the agreement reached concerning the construction of a contentious proposed temple. Yet, the town’s mayor, Henry Lessner, countered that Fairview has met its commitments while asserting that the church has not, labeling the church's claims in the letter as having "serious inaccuracies."
The temple in question, identified as the McKinney Texas Temple, was initially announced for Prosper, Texas, in 2022 before being relocated to Fairview in 2023. Since its relocation, however, the proposal has faced significant delays, remaining no closer to construction than it was when first unveiled.
The ongoing debate between church officials and Fairview leaders primarily focuses on public safety, with the town's authorities expressing apprehension about the proposed temple's height as well as the light it would emit at night. Officials have indicated concerns that the temple could become the tallest structure within the area, which lies in a residential zone. Moreover, town leaders have cited Fairview's dark sky ordinance aimed at minimizing night lighting impact on local migratory birds, reflecting their commitment to environmental considerations.
In November 2024, town and church representatives participated in mediation talks which concluded with a series of compromises from both sides. Notably, the church agreed to reduce the proposed height of the temple by over 50 feet, thereby modifying the design to a single-story structure. However, this non-binding agreement requires further approval through the town’s Planning and Zoning Board before being presented to the town council.
In January 2025, a town newsletter warned residents of potential complications regarding the acceptance of the agreed-upon design. This communication hinted that the design might not receive approval, which could escalate towards legal confrontation with the church. "If this happens, it moves us closer to being sued by the LDS church and the potential dire financial consequences of that action for the Town, should the Town lose in court," the newsletter stated. “The overwhelming number of residents want this to get to court,” it further elaborated.
The recent letter from church officials, delivered on March 17, 2025, voiced concerns that Fairview’s town council has seemingly withdrawn support for the mediation agreement. "We remain concerned, however, that our religious rights could be compromised if the Town does not honor its word as agreed to during mediation," it stated. The letter conveyed the church’s hope for an amicable resolution, reiterating a willingness to collaborate towards fulfilling everyone's objectives.
Church leaders concluded their correspondence with a notable warning regarding possible legal actions, stating, "Upholding the agreement is an essential reassurance that would make it unnecessary for us to seek judicial assistance to resolve this impasse." Yet, Mayor Lessner asserted that Fairview has not rescinded support for the agreement, suggesting that members of the town council deliberately chose not to respond in order to avert any appearance of impropriety.
“The Town has met its commitments coming out of the November mediation meeting. The church has not,” Lessner stated emphatically. He elaborated that the church was expected to have filed necessary documentation associated with the mediated building design by January 13, 2025, but instead sent a notice of lawsuit letter.
Lessner also expressed frustration regarding a lack of engagement from church leadership. “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 remarked.
In the coming week, the town council will reconvene to discuss the ongoing situation, with hopes of reaching an agreement that could stabilize relations or, in contrast, lead to a heated legal battle if disputes persist. As the McKinney Texas Temple project’s fate hangs in the balance, both sides display a reluctance to budge from their positions, and the community remains alert to developments in this fraught negotiation.
