HomeMy WebLinkAboutRFD - 23-00154 Teton River Temple & Meeting House CUP
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#23 00154
Teton River Temple & Meeting House - Conditional Use Permit
1565 N 2nd E
1. April 3, 2023, An application for a Conditional Use Permit for Teton River Temple and
Meeting House was received from Johnny Watson.
2. April 3, 2023, Application paperwork was completed.
3. April 3, 2023,Payment was received for the application.
4. April 7, 2023,Staff Reviews were completed.
5. April 12, 2023, Notice was sent to the newspaper to be published on April 18 & April 25,
2023.
6. April 12, 2023, the Staff Report was completed.
7. April 13, 2023, Notice was mailed to all property owners within 350’.
8. April 25, 2023, Notice was posted on the property.
9. May 4, 2023, the application was presented to the Planning & Zoning Commission.
(23-00154) Teton River Temple & Meeting House – CUP – Located at approximately
1565 N 2nd E the CUP to allow religious worship and meeting house will apply to
approximately 36 of the 105 acres. - Johnny Watson (Action)
Johnny Watson introduced himself as well as the project architect Ben. Johnny began his
presentation by explaining the current zoning and how at this time he does not know what
will be done with the rest of the property. He summarized that tonight he is asking for a
Conditional Use Permit for the temple and meeting house as well as the height of the
temple, as it will far exceed the 35’ allowed in TAG. He showed the approximate location of
the buildings on a map, stating that the Church News had announced the location and that it
would have an approximate size of 130,000 square feet and be 3 stories tall. Next, he showed
a rough draft plat of the property and explained that infrastructure work on the utilities and
roadways would begin this summer. He touched on the height of the temple being
approximately 220’ to the spire and that they have already received approval from the FAA
for the height based on lighting conditions.
35 North 1st East
Rexburg, ID 83440
Phone: 208.359.3020
Fax: 208.359.3022
www.rexburg.org
Reason for Decision
City of Rexburg
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Vince clarified that the application was for both the meeting houses as well as a variance in height.
Johnny confirmed. McKay asked the height of the current temple. Alan responded 220’. Johnny
explained that the site will be built up due to the water table and from the existing ground it will be
closer to 235’.
Alan reported that staff has reviewed the application and requested the Planning and Zoning
Commissioners consider recommending it to City Council for approval. McKay asked if the
application met the Comprehensive Plan. Alan replied yes. Aaron asked if a CUP could be included
in the TAG zone. Alan replied that a CUP for a religious building could be done in any zone. The
group discussed Conditional Use Permits as they relate to the land and possible zone changes.
Chairperson Smith opened the public hearing at 7:26 pm.
Favor: none
Neutral: none
Against: none
No rebuttal.
Chairperson Smith closed the public hearing at 7:26 pm.
Commissioner discussion:
Vince started the discussion by saying there wasn’t much to discuss, since it was just the meeting
houses and height and asked if the height variance allowed any height. Alan responded that the
restricting factor is the FAA, and that they have submitted and received approval for the use. Aaron
asked if the FAA report number of 240’ was the official CUP height. Alan confirmed it was and that
it included the grade.
MOTION: Motion to recommend the City Council approve the CUP proposal at 1565 N 2nd
E as well as the height variance as approved by the FAA.
Action: Approve, Moved by Randall Kempton, Seconded by Vince Haley.
Commissioner Discussion on the Motion: None
VOTE: Motion carried. (Summary: Yes= 9, No= 0, Abstain =0).
Yes: Vince Haley (Vice Chair), Todd Marx, Sally Smith (Chairperson), Brad Wolfe, Vanessa
Johnson, McKay Francis, Aaron Richards, Jim Lawrence Randall Kempton
No: none
Abstain: none
10. May 17, 2023, Application was presented to City Council.
Planning & Zoning recommendations to approve the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for
approximately 1565 N 2nd E to allow religious worship and meeting house in Transitional
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Agriculture (TAG) zone, per the Rexburg Development Code as a Conditional Use #23-00154 –
Kyle Baldwin
Planning Assistant Baldwin explained this Conditional Use Permit would allow religious worship and
meeting house in Transitional Agriculture (TAG) zone and height of the buildings. The allowed height of the
building is 240 feet approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); however, the proposed height of
the building is 235 feet.
Council Member Johnson moved to approve the Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for
approximately 1565 N 2nd E to allow religious worship and meeting house in Transitional
Agriculture (TAG) zone, per the Rexburg Development Code as a Conditional Use; Council
Member Flora seconded the motion; Council President Busby asked for a vote:
Those voting aye Those voting nay
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Council Member Flora none
Council Member Johnson
Council Member Chambers
Council Member Erickson
Council Member Walker
Council President Busby
The motion carried