A 7-acre site in the Catalina Foothills will soon be home to the first Mormon temple built in the area.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints purchased property where East Ina Road curves into Skyline Drive in 2010, according to press materials.
Zoning already allows for religious buildings on this land, and while early plans indicated a 95-foot steeple would require a variance, the church has instead altered its design to comply with Pima County planning and zoning regulations, said Chris Poirier, the county's assistant planning official.
Zoning code allows a church building to be 44-feet tall but does not put limitations on additional dome structures. Instead of a steeple, this temple will have a cupola with a peak about 27 feet above the base and platform, Poirier said. Mormon temples are also topped with a statue.Β
The mission-style design of the temple will be similar to one in Tijuana, Mexico, with floor plans for a two-story, 34,000 square-foot-space, said the church news release.
Groundbreaking for the temple is scheduled for 10 a.m. Oct. 17, but is invitation-only.
