Draper » When the Draper police officials started laying out security plans for the opening next month of the new LDS temple, they had unanswered questions.

For example: What should they do if protesters showed up?

People asked "What if this? What if that?" said City Attorney Doug Ahlstrom.

But, the city didn't have an ordinance that addressed the issue.

In about a week, Ahlstrom put together a free-speech-zone ordinance. The City Council passed it after a 20-minute discussion earlier this week. The ordinance only applies to protests during large, special events.

City leaders agreed the new ordinance, which immediately went into effect, is needed to ensure the public's safety and to punish violators.

In the past several weeks, LDS churches and buildings nationwide have been the target of demonstrations because of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' involvement with the gay-marriage ban that passed in California in November.

During the council meeting Tuesday, Councilman Bill Colbert said he is "disturbed" by some people's views, but believes constitutional free-speech rights must be protected.

"It's sometimes uncomfortable," he said, describing what some folks protest.

Councilman Jeff Stenquist said people can still enjoy events while demonstrations are under way.

"We want things to go smoothly and everyone's safety to be guarded."

Under the new law, groups don't have to apply for permits to protest. The city manager designates the areas where people protesting during in a specific event can demonstrate.

The city manager also has 24 hours before an event to inform the public of the "clearly marked" zones, Ahlstrom said.

"Protesters musts be allowed to get their message out," he said. "You can't put them on another side of town."

Ahlstrom said city leaders aren't aware of any protests planned for the temple's open-house tours starting Jan. 15.

Jacob Whipple, who organized the Nov. 7 protest, which drew about 3,000 people around Temple Square in Salt Lake City, said he recently met with gay-rights and other community activists and, regarding the Draper temple opening, they said, "'We're not planning on doing anything at all.'"

LDS spokesman Scott Trotter said in an e-mail that the church is "hopeful that everyone in and around the Draper temple will conduct themselves with courtesy and civility."

jsanchez@sltrib.com