Temple report expected this week

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- Plans for a Mormon Temple in Newport Beach could come

under public scrutiny as soon as this week.

Officials in the city’s planning department said Friday they are

putting the finishing touches on the draft environmental report for the

17,500-square-foot temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints, proposed to be built at the intersection of Bonita Canyon Drive

and Prairie Road.

The document will be available for public review at city libraries,

City Hall and probably on the city’s Web site. An exact release date is

not yet firmed up.

During the 45-day public review period, residents can examine the

environmental report and register their opinions with the city.

That information will become part of the materials the Planning

Commission will review when deciding whether to grant a request to allow

the project to include a 124-foot steeple that exceeds area height

standards. The building meets all other city guidelines.

Many neighbors have said the steeple, which will be topped by a golden

statue of a trumpeting angel, will impose too much on their skyline and

their neighborhoods. The report will also consider traffic, air quality

and water quality. A significant amount of traffic to neighboring streets

is not expected.

Opponents of the project are also concerned about lighting of the

building and whether the seashell color of the building will be

consistent with the neighborhood.

Officials are expected to announce this week the date when the report

will be available for review.