Bluffdale may shrink by a third

HERRIMAN — For more than 10 years, a group of some 50 developers and landowners say Bluffdale has balked at efforts to develop vacant land into housing. Now they want out.

Several developers and landowners gathered this past week to announce that they have filed petitions with Bluffdale, demanding that their property be detached from the city and annexed by neighboring Herriman.

If the petitions are granted, the result could have a profound impact on Bluffdale Mayor Wayne Mortimer's city. The 4,000-acre chunk could leave Bluffdale one-third smaller.

The group is led by Sorenson Development, which owns the Rosecrest residential area, one of the largest developments in the region. Also included are Front Gate Homes Inc. and smaller landowners.

"Bluffdale has been holding this land hostage," said Donald Wallace, vice president of Rosecrest Inc. and South Farm L.L.C.

In a press conference held in one of his company's newly built homes, Wallace said he and other developers are fed up with what they say has been 10 years of balking and a lack of any willingness on Bluffdale city's part to allow homes to be built. Wallace said the city has refused to build any infrastructure, such as water and sewer, in the area.

For landowner Loretta Wilcox, whose father owned a good portion of Bluffdale as a sheepherder, the situation has been frustrating. With 36 acres remaining, Wilcox said she has been trying to sell her land to developers so she and her husband can dig themselves out of debt.

After being shot down by the city for a rezone, Wilcox said she is upset. "That left us out in the cold; we have no other choice," she said.

Wallace said Herriman city officials have indicated to him that they would be supportive of Sorenson Development.

But Bluffdale officials say they aren't going to let one-third of their city just slip away. "We're going to fight it all the way," Bluffdale Mayor Mortimer said.

Mortimer painted a different picture of the developers and landowners, saying many of them, particularly Sorenson Development, have refused to compromise on issues of housing density and environmental preservation.

"It's been their way or no way," Mortimer said. "We're trying to protect our master plan." Bluffdale has struggled to preserve the city's rural atmosphere in the face of extreme pressures to develop, he added. According to the city, Sorenson Development has petitioned to place 3,100 homes on 1,124 acres, which they say is about 2.8 homes per acre.

Mortimer said Sorenson has refused to compromise with the city. "They've told us all along that it's all or nothing. If they would just come and meet us halfway and work with us," he said.

Wallace claims no such olive branch has been offered to his company by the city. In fact, Wallace said Bluffdale officials have been negative and at times "threatening." City Council meetings have been "stacked with people yelling from the gallery," Wallace said.

One thing both sides agree on is that they will more than likely see each other in court.

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