The city of Camas has determined that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ plan to build a three-story, 43,000-square-foot temple in Camas will not have any significant environmental impacts.
The City issued its State Environmental Plan Act (SEPA) “determination of nonsignificance” on Thursday, Jan. 16, and will take public comment on the decision through Thursday, Jan. 30.
The church announced in 2023 that it planned to build 20 new temples worldwide, including one near Vancouver. In early 2024, the church revealed that it planned to build the Vancouver-area temple on a 19-acre, undeveloped site near the intersection of Southeast Bybee Road and Southeast 20th Street in Camas.
The church purchased the site, which is currently zoned for regional commercial use, for $8.25 million in May 2023, according to Clark County property documents. The site is located near Evergreen Tennis, Fisher Investments and the Kielo at Grass Valley and Grandview Place apartment complexes.
The church’s plans have attracted some opposition from local residents worried the development is not in the best interests of the community.