Payson leaders want master plan in place for future temple area

PAYSON — City leaders are looking for someone to create a master plan for the area around the recently announced temple site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The City Council had asked for two proposals from city manager Richard Nelson: one to design the master plan of the developing neighborhood around the site and another contract to do other long-term planning with a time limit.

The LDS Church plans to build a temple near Payson High School on the south end of the city, overlooking I-15. The master plan would consider traffic flow around the temple, including developing commercial areas on both sides of I-15, infrastructure and land-use design.

The city recently laid off its long-term planner, which led Councilman Kim Hancock to question why the city didn't just hire the planner back. But other council members didn't want to open a full-time position with benefits after trimming five jobs earlier this year to meet an income shortfall.

Nelson suggested a $30,000 limit on the temple neighborhood master plan, but Councilman Brad Daley said the city would get better results if they raised the limit to $50,000. The temple plan would be due Dec. 1.

— Rodger L. Hardy