SANDY — Many Sandy residents made their final plea to city officials Tuesday night, asking them to reject a "big box" development some residents say has become the most divisive issue in the city's history.

The City Council had not reached a decision as of late Tuesday night after nearly three hours of citizen comments. The city's decision comes after months of debate on the issue that has packed the City Council chambers and prompted resident rallies against the development since May.

The Boyer Co. development would put a Wal-Mart and Lowes amid other retail and residential units on the 107-acre gravel pit at 9400 South and 1300 East, an area many residents say was slated for a large city park. Zoning for the area currently does not allow warehouse retailers.

"You have to uphold the promises you made to the city," said resident Robert Bell. "I don't see any major special exception unless it's called greed."

Residents like Gary Forbush asked the City Council not to allow the development but to explore other options before making hasty decisions.

Specifically, Forbush asked City Council members to impose a six-month moratorium on any zoning changes in the area until city officials could create a finite plan for where big-box retailers could set up shop in the city.

"We need to have a plan, not just say, 'Oh, we want to put a store here; let's change the zoning,' " he said.

Although the majority of residents at Tuesday's meeting were opposed to the development, several citizens did voice concerns that garnering funds to buy and build a city park would mean raising taxes. Wade Williams, Boyer spokesman, also said the proposed project would help the city rejuvenate retail and retain the Wal-Mart and Lowes that will soon be moving from their current Sandy locations.

A study commissioned by the city shows the proposed development could bring in more than $10 million in sales tax revenues to city coffers over the next 15 years.

But Rachael Stone, a member of the Save Our Communities Group opposed to the Boyer project, said the development would likely divert consumers from existing Sandy retail and be the death blow to several local shops.

"By putting in a Super Wal-Mart, we're not going to eat more groceries. It's just going to put other stores out of business," she said.

Stone also questioned city figures that put expenses up to $48 million to build and buy a city park. Stone said similar-size Salt Lake County parks with baseball diamonds, soccer fields and lakes only cost about $10.5 million. An unofficial estimate from a local landscaper, Stone said, put the figure closer to $4 million to put in a basic city park.

"They're trying to scare us off with these inflated numbers. It's just infuriating to me," she said.

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