Langford has been chosen as the home to a new temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).
Located on 4.6 acres of land at 2750 Leigh Rd., it will be the second LDS temple in B.C. and the 11th in Canada.
Langford has been chosen because of its central location to a majority of Greater Victoria-based church members, explained LDS representative Aaron Blake at the Aug. 11 meeting of the city鈥檚 Sustainable Development Advisory Committee.
The city's excellent connectivity to areas outside of Greater Victoria was also highlighted as a beneficial factor for the site.
Developers, Beedie, who own the land, have submitted an application to amend the text of the plot鈥檚 current mixed-use employment zone designation to allow for a place of worship.
In response to concerns about habitat restoration on land that has been largely cleared of trees and subjected to blasting, Blake assured committee members the project will surpass the city鈥檚 minimum requirement of 15 per cent greenspace and restored habitat.
鈥淥ur hope is that this would be a sanctuary for those that come and visit the site,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd that sanctuary doesn鈥檛 start at the building envelope, but at the property lines.鈥�
Blake also noted that the current plans have allowed for the 鈥渓east amount of parking needed to serve the building,鈥� which will have a capacity of approximately 250 people.
鈥淲e鈥檙e gonna take the coming year and more to develop the plans to suit the surrounding environment, and try to develop that in a way that is pleasing to the local people, not just what we think coming from far away,鈥� he added.
At the meeting, the majority of committee members agreed to recommend to council that the zoning amendment be considered for its first three readings.
鈥淗aving this type of religious facility, I think does enrich our community,鈥� said Coun. Mary Wagner, who acknowledged the growing diversity in Langford and across the West Shore.
Welcoming the LDS community 鈥渋n advance,鈥� Coun. Lillian Szpak said the proposed development could be an 鈥渙pportunity to heal and beautify" the site.
Among other requirements, the committee also recommends that prior to adoption of the bylaw amendment, developer Beedie should provide a landscape plan signed off by a registered professional biologist, to the satisfaction of the city鈥檚 director of development services.
The plans for a LDS temple in Greater Victoria were first announced in April 2024 by LDS president Russell Nelson at the church鈥檚 annual general conference in Utah. However, no details of its location were revealed.
The first temple in B.C. was built in Langley and was dedicated in 2010. Other Canadian temples are located in Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, Winnipeg, Montreal, Toronto and Halifax.
The committee's recommendation will be considered by councillors at the Aug. 18 council meeting.