From Deseret News archives:
Rumors abound of new temple in Draper
Corner Canyon is a possible site, city officials say
A 12-acre plot in Draper's Corner Canyon neighborhood is owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has set rumor mills spinning that the city will host the church's third Salt Lake Valley temple, announced this past weekend by LDS President Gordon B. Hinckley.
"It's been of interest around here, and everybody's been talking about it," Draper Mayor Darrell Smith said. "I would welcome it in Draper. As far as an amenity, an attraction and something of beauty in the city, it would be all of those things."
Church spokesman Dale Bills said he could not comment on the temple site nor when church leaders will announce the location.
But Draper City Manager Eric Keck said he is almost positive the temple will find its home in Draper, which is 60 percent LDS. His hunch is shared by developers of nearby neighborhoods, including the developer of the Corner Canyon Vista subdivision that surrounds the 12-acre church-owned plot.
"When the church was acquiring property they had no bones about telling the developer that they were buying the property for a temple site," Keck said.
While the city will not profit financially from an LDS temple, Keck said the building would be an ideal neighbor because temples generally have a lot of well-kept open space. Keck also said the sweeping views of the valley and of Lone Peak make the site an ideal spot for a temple.
"This temple could be a real beacon in Salt Lake Valley. We would just be very proud to host a facility like this," Keck said. "The church does first-class work with their buildings, and this would be no different."
An LDS stake center is now under construction on the church-owned land, but 10 acres remain open.
The majority of residents seem to be in favor of a temple in their city, Keck said, although he has received one call from a resident with traffic concerns. While there are no major roadways leading to the possible temple site, City Planning Manager Grant Crowell said the city's road network could most likely handle the traffic flow.
If the city receives an official application for temple construction, Crowell said Draper will do a traffic study to determine if additional roadways are needed.
Along with traffic, Smith said some people have concerns about light pollution, an issue raised by South Jordan residents worried about bright lights when the Jordan River Temple was built. Smith said city leaders in South Jordan have assured him a temple is a positive asset for the city.
"I don't think you'll ever have 100 percent support for something," Smith said. "But the strong majority here welcomes it."
Summer Pugh, president of the Corner Canyon Neighborhood Association, said she has received nearly unanimous support for the temple from residents in her area. That positive response is from members of the LDS Church as well as non-LDS residents, she said.
"I'm thrilled. It would be wonderful to have it in our community," she said. "There's a lot of hubbub about it around here."
E-mail: estewart@desnews.com
