Court docket permits Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to affix Heber Valley Temple lawsuit

HEBER, Utah (ABC4) — In January, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit towards Wasatch County relating to the development of the Heber Valley Temple.

On April 30, a 4th District Court docket choose granted the movement.

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The controversy surrounding the development of the Heber Valley Temple shouldn’t be essentially surrounding the character of the non secular construction, however somewhat its measurement, mild and site. The talk has centered largely around light pollution as the realm is thought for its darkish night time skies. Other concerns embrace visitors within the space and the lack of the view of the mountains.

In November 2023, the Wasatch County City Council voted to approve the development of the temple, though petitioners who personal houses close to the proposed web site argued the constructing would negatively influence their views, privateness, and quiet enjoyment.

In January, the Church mentioned it ought to be concerned within the lawsuit filed towards Wasatch County because the Church owns the property, utilized for the event, and desires to construct the temple.

After listening to oral arguments in April, a choose granted the Church’s movement to intervene, which means will probably be allowed to affix the Heber Valley Temple lawsuit. It additionally denied a movement to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Wasatch County.

The court docket dominated that the Church “has met its burden in displaying the [Wasatch County] is unable to diligently symbolize its curiosity,” including that through the oral argument, Wasatch County’s legal professional “asserted the County Council’s dedication to defending this case shouldn’t be unwavering and new County Council members would possibly really feel otherwise.”

Following the choice, the court docket mentioned the Church had three weeks to reply to the order.

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