Tuesday was apparently his last chance to rezone about 1,600 acres in what he believed might be the only way to keep more than a third of Bluffdale from de-annexation.

"You can hold this mayor accountable for bringing this item up tonight," Mortimer said. "This is our one opportunity to show this judge we are willing to work with these developers."

But that argument failed to sway the Bluffdale City Council, which voted 3 to 2 to reject a mixed-use zone for two developments proposed for the city's southwest foothills.

"This became a political issue in our community," said Laurie Maxfield, a council member who proposed to vote down the rezone. "I believe the responsibility and accountability lies with the new mayor, the new council and Bluffdale United."

The new council members will take office on Jan. 3.

At stake: Two developers - Sorenson Real Estate and Development Associates - want to bring low- and high-density housing along with a mixture of commercial businesses to as many as 4,000 acres in Bluffdale. Their initial efforts were spurned by Bluffdale officials leading to a de-annexation lawsuit.

The city has tried to settle the lawsuit but residents, known as Bluffdale United, thwarted that effort with a referendum and then a petition to a 3rd District Court judge.

Mortimer and some others believe the developers have the upper hand in the lawsuit. To swing that back toward the city, Mortimer tried to rezone the land to a mixed-use zone that would allow for all the construction the developers wanted.

Mortimer argues the rezone would show a judge the city is willing to work with the developers. It also would force the developers to return to negotiations, he claims.

After the meeting though, Mortimer added that he believes the new mayor and council will be able renew negotiations with the developers.

The city had worked out a deal with the developers that they would be allowed to build 2.6 units per acre on the land. That amount, with high density reaching as much as 18 units per acre, had Bluffdale United opposed to the projects.

Residents voted out Mortimer and another member of the City Council, a vote most believe was based on the development issue.

"Vote it down," council member Martha Speed urged. "You've done all you can do. Let's let the new mayor and council deal with it."

The issue clearly split the council.

"The consequence is too great," said outgoing council member Morris Clark. "If [the land] is disconnected it is the end of Bluffdale."

The rezone was proposed by the city and the developers did not attend Tuesday night's meeting. The developers, however, have vowed to take the case to a trial in hopes of de-annexing from Bluffdale.

If they are successful, Mortimer believes they will seek a density that averages 6- to 8-units per acre.