The land is critical to Bluffdale's future as the zone could determine whether more than a third of the city remains in Bluffdale. The reason for that: the 4,000 acres (1,600 are owned by two developers and the other 2,400 are owned by other private interests) is part of a de-annexation lawsuit.

“I can tell you the future of Bluffdale if we don't sew this up tonight,” said outgoing Mayor Wayne Mortimer.

Mortimer believes the city will lose the disconnect lawsuit if the land isn't rezoned by the time he leaves office on Jan. 3. The City Council may, or may not, agree with that but declined to vote on the zoning Tuesday night, instead it voted to table the topic.

Mortimer said the rezone will reappear on one of the council's two remaining agendas.

Mortimer's replacement, however, says the city doesn't need to rezone the land before a new council takes office.

“We are reasonable people,” said Mayor-elect Claudia Anderson. “I wish you would give us a chance to work with these developers.”

The land is on the suburb's southwest foothills. It has been a contentious tract for years as two developers - Sorenson Real Estate and Development Associates - want to bring a mix of low- and high-density housing along with retailers and other commercial uses.

Residents have bucked the development, arguing the housing density is too high for Bluffdale.