LDS Church leaders present FamilySearch project proposal to Lehi residents

LDS Church leaders present FamilySearch project proposal to Lehi residents

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Brent Roberts with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shows the audience the type of office building they had in mind. The Church wants to build office space for its FamilySearch developers and its programs.

21 hours ago  •  Cathy Allred Daily Herald

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Several Lehi residents appeared supportive of a concept redesign presented by FamilySearch regarding proposed construction at the site of the Thanksgiving Point Golf Course driving range.

The meeting late Wednesday night at Thanksgiving Point's Garden Room was sparsely attended by roughly 50 people, a stark contrast to the former information gathering meeting about the same project in July.

Several residents reportedly couldn’t attend the meeting because of conflicts including a Parent Teacher Night at nearby schools.

“I think the majority of people here are happier with this,” resident Jared Asbury said. “I think if you can tell us what is happening with the driving range we would be much happier.”

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' Special Projects Department reported on a traffic study for the area to residents of the Cranberry Farms, Sunset Hollow and Thanksgiving Village developments that border the golf course, then answered questions about the building's redesign.

The traffic report showed there are intersections already insufficient for the residential area, according to Brent Roberts, the church's building division representative,

“It really came down to two intersections; where they are probably wouldn’t surprise you,” church architect David Hall Jr. said.

The study showed the intersections of 2100 North and 2300 West, as well as the intersection at Garden Drive and Clubhouse Drive, would need modification.

“If we were to sell the property and the developer would put in high-density housing, the traffic would still be a problem,” Hall said.

Traffic signals were proposed at those intersections. Church representatives said the lights would make the traffic free flowing again, and said they were working with the city to resolve those issues.

“We are committed to work with the church,” said Kim Struthers, Lehi planning director. 

Struthers gave a short overview of future transportation improvements being coordinated with the Utah Department of Transportation.

“I think that we have shouted loud and clear that we’ve got things going on here,” Struthers said. “We’ve got their attention.”

The proposed buildings are another issue, with a large LDS Church stake center and a four-story, 120,000-square-foot office building planned for the driving range site. At least 10,000 square feet of the office building would include a programming engineer and FamilySearch component.

“This would give us a chance to bring that stake center more appropriately closer to the community,” Hall said.

The proposed exterior design of the office building was an issue for some residents.

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“You are telling me that that is compatible with the stake center?” said Loy Clemons, a retired architect and resident.

The designers could make the footprint of the office building larger and not as tall, but then there would be less green space.

“To inject a four-story office building in the middle of a golf course is ridiculous,” resident Max Jamison said. “I don’t know whose hare-brained idea this is.”

The LDS Church purchased the property during the early summer and began following the city development process, abiding by its codes.

“If we are not given that opportunity, we will sell the property to a developer,” Hall said. “I think we would be pretty good neighbors.”

Frank Gonzales, Thanksgiving Village Homeowners Association president, and a few other residents concluded the meeting with applause.

“It’s not better than a driving range, but it’s a lot better than what could have been there. We appreciate that,” Gonzales said.

Cathy Allred is north Utah County reporter for the Daily Herald and can be reached at heraldextra.ca@gmail.com and followed on Facebook: North County News.