JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s been a few days since the city of Jacksonville approved a $27 million permit for a new 29,000-square-foot temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mandarin area.
When News4JAX posted the story about the city approving the temple’s construction, many commenters expressed concern about how the construction on Loretto Road would affect traffic in the area.
“Good luck trying to drive on Loretto,” one Insider said.
Another said, “As someone that lives in the area and will have to deal with the increase traffic flow on Loretto road, which is already an issue due to multiple churches and schools, not looking forward to it.”
But Councilman Michael Boylan, who represents the Mandarin area, noted that the property was originally slated for a 60-home development, and that many residents actually felt relieved when the plan shifted to a single temple, easing concerns about traffic and density.
“A single temple, as compared to 60 homes on that piece of property, the traffic concern allayed quite a bit,” he said.
Additionally, Boylan clarified the purpose of the new building, saying it will be primarily used as an administrative building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Some “special services” will be offered as well, but Boylan specified that large congregation services are not expected at the location.
Celeste Hearon, who owns property right next to the site, described the impact.
“Next thing you know, we have all these big Tonka Toy trucks across the street, tearing the trees down,” she said.
In response to the construction, Hearon plans to plant privacy trees at the front of her property to block the view of the site and regain some sense of privacy. “We’re exposed,” she said.
News4JAX attempted to contact the media contact for the temple regarding neighbors’ concerns and for more information about the property, but we have not received a response yet.