Jenkins had hoped to drain the three-acre pond and build a 50-unit subdivision on the property he has owned for 20 years.

In 2005, council members denied his request to subdivide the land, saying Jenkins had failed to supply necessary documents concerning the stability of the ground.

City Attorney Lawrence Waggoner said the city owns a two-thirds interest in water-storage rights in the pond, which he says serves as an essential part of Clearfield's storm-water detention system. Jenkins disputes that the city owns any part of those rights.

A city-hired appraiser valued the land at $225,000. Jenkins says that number is way too low.

"I consider this to be one of the nicest developable pieces of property in the state of Utah," Jenkins said. "The biggest problem I have is, the valuation presented to me as the fair-market value of this property."

Jenkins described the city-sponsored appraisal as biased, saying it offered him "about 5 cents on the dollar."

City officials hope to incorporate the popular pond into a larger park as an urban fishery bordered by walking trails.

Residents Richard and Carol Schulze attended Tuesday's meeting, hoping the pond can be preserved. They said that for years, they've watched adults and children flock to the popular pond, fishing poles in hand.

"I hope [Jenkins] loses. I don't want to see houses in there," said Carol Schulze.

Should the city intend to take immediate possession of the pond, Jenkins said he hopes to be fairly compensated.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com