Planning commission approves site plan for LDS meetinghouse expansion at 535 West 2700 South

The Syracuse Planning Commission on July 1, 2025 approved a site-plan amendment to expand a meetinghouse for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 535 West 2700 South.

City planning staff described the project as an approximately 30-foot southern building extension that would reuse existing façade materials, alter a small portion of landscaping and remove some parking stalls in the affected area while leaving overall parking supply in compliance with city code. Staff recommended approval, saying the proposal met city standards for parking and site design.

Neighbors spoke during the public hearing. Lisa Hayes (534 West 2810 South) said she and an adjacent neighbor were concerned about replacement landscaping, tree regrowth where large Chinese elm trees had been removed, water run-off on the south side and vehicle circulation where children sometimes drive in the parking area.

Another neighbor, Maria Thorpe (2804 South 580 West), told the commission she supported the expansion and said several neighbors were pleased with the proposal. Planning staff clarified that a separate road-signal or right-of-way improvement discussed by commenters (a signal at 2700 South) would be part of the public right-of-way and managed by Layton City and UDOT, and is not part of the church’s administrative site-plan application.

A commissioner asked about timing; staff said the city does not set a fixed expiration for a building project but noted that a building permit typically expires after six months if no work begins on the permit and would need reapplication unless the applicant shows progress or applies for extensions.

A motion to approve the site plan was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.

(Ending) The approved site plan authorizes the described addition; any future changes to the project or separate public-right-of-way improvements will be handled through standard permitting and interagency processes.