After a lively public hearing in which Sandy residents spoke 5-to-1 against Boyer's proposal, the council finally passed a motion to poll 600 Sandy residents on the issue. Most voicing opinions at the meeting said they hoped the old Gibbons & Reed gravel pit north of 9400 South and west of 1300 East could be turned into a park.

“If it's about the money,'' said resident Scott Schimmelpfennig, “just bring in Envirocare. A hazardous waste dump would bring in millions and millions of dollars. And as far as I'm concerned, there's no difference between hazardous waste and Wal-Mart.''

But city planners warned the council that while big-box retailers would fatten Sandy's tax coffers, a park would drain them and force taxes to be raised. According to city staff estimates, it would cost between $28 million and $45 million to buy the land and build a park.

If bonding were the only means to finance the project, it could mean a property tax increase of at least 50 percent, according to city staff estimates.

Janine Clarke was one of seven residents to speak in favor of the development and against a park. “We moved here from northern California and are amazed at the amount of parks available to Sandy residents,'' she told the council. “We don't want our taxes raised for more parks.''

But Gary Forbush of the Save Our Communities citizens group cited Salt Lake County figures and said Sandy's estimates for building a park were much too high.

A Boyer spokesman said the mixed-use development would include about 30 acres of open space, trails and park land.

“We're not just looking at big box. We can create a viable, walkable shopping district that will be a great asset to the community,“ said Wade S. Williams, director of retail development for Boyer Co.

Williams advised the council that the project could not be accomplished without the retail anchors. Wal-Mart would relocate from its present Sandy address at 10600 S. St. Lowe's would move from its location at the old Kmart along 9000 South near Interstate 15.

Resident Lila Wilson said moving Wal-Mart and Lowe's would not significantly enhance tax revenues. “If you have two stores in your community and they move [within the town], you haven't gained any sales tax.''

And Richard Walker reminded the council that in 1988 the gravel pit area was zoned purposely to exclude big box retail. He asked the council to keep the city's 16-year-old pledge on the zoning that was the outcome of extensive public input.