"I don't think Cache County has enough demand for that," Rasmussen said.

The developers also want to count the golf course as open space, which would enable them to build homes closer together on the rest of the property. According to the feasibility study, Harbor View plans to build 3,056 homes, but the number could change if the city doesn't consider the golf course open space.

City Councilman Paul James said the 150-acre, public golf course is the key to the developers' plans to build the homes, so he wants the annexation agreement to require the links be built first. The city wants Harbor View to submit an annexation agreement for the entire project before the council votes. (For the developers' description of the project, see www.hyrumlakeandgolf.com)

"I want to guarantee the golf course is going to be there," James said. "If they could get the golf course in there, you would see some development there."

Like the mayor, James is ambivalent about the project, but he's leaning toward approval. He said property owners should be able to develop their land and the developers have assured him they can pay for the project.

"I think they've pretty well shown us they could come up with the finances," he said. "I think they deserve a fair shot."

Besides, James said, the developers are likely to pursue the project if Hyrum rejects the annexation. He said they could try to get Cache County to approve the development in the unincorporated area or even create a new city.

Baugh agreed the developers would press on if Hyrum doesn't approve the annexation proposal.

"If not," he said, "we'll go to the county."

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E-mail: mikewennergren@yahoo.com