A new temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints won approval from Madison’s zoning board Thursday.

The LDS church plans to build a one-story, 30,000-square-foot temple – topped by a 120-foot-tall spire. It would would be the second Mormon temple in Alabama.

The zoning board recommended the city approve a special exception the church had sought to allow a religious building on the property’s current zoning, high-density residential. According to a zoning board report, the LDS church plans to include a “tower, cupola [or] spire” that will exceed the 50-foot height limit for other zoning types.

The 120-foot spire, according to the report, “is not significantly massive or bulky,” and the main level of the building is below the 35-foot height limit for high-density residential zoning.

“Therefore, the structure should not have an adverse effect on adjacent property or the character of the neighborhood,” the report stated.

The LDS Church, also known as Mormons, counted 17.5 million members worldwide at the end of 2024, with more than 40,000 members in Alabama in about 75 congregations. The church opened its Birmingham-area temple in Gardendale in 2000.

Last week, the city’s planning commission recommended Madison annex nearly 14 acres in two undeveloped parcels to the east of the temple site – which the LDS church also owns.

Primary access to the temple would be from Browns Ferry Road to the westernmost parcel, according to documents filed with the planning commission. The 13.98 acres recommended for annexation would be used in part for secondary driveway access and stormwater facilities, with the bulk being left as an undeveloped natural area.

Madison City Council is expected to schedule a public hearing on the annexation and zoning recommendations during an August meeting.