The ripple effects of a temporary restraining order against the city of Pleasant Grove to cease work on its pressurized irrigation system, is also delaying a similar project in American Fork.

On Tuesday, earth-moving equipment sat silent on the land, where great valleys had already been carved out, and the dirt piled into an enormous heap along 4000 West.

Pleasant Grove was hauling its excavated earth to American Fork, where the city is building up a lagoon rather than excavating. Taking Pleasant Grove's dirt will save American Fork "several hundred thousand dollars," said Mayor Heber Thompson, but now the restraining order puts a halt to both projects.

Pleasant Grove had not rezoned the property where the lagoon is being constructed, and that type of construction is not allowed in the current zone, allowing a judge to halt work, said Pleasant Grove Mayor Mike Daniels.

American Fork also overlooked rezoning the property where it is constructing its own lagoon, Thompson recently told American Fork council members. Because of that, it is possible that a similar restraining order could be filed if someone wanted to, halting other work on the project.

Both cities are acting to make their work legal at their chosen sites, mayors from both cities said.

Daniels said Pleasant Grove is optimistic that the restraining order can be lifted within two weeks. The work stoppage is costing the city money, though he said it was unclear how much.

Schow said he sold 15 acres to Pleasant Grove for $53,000 per acre in October. The retail price of the land is $300,000 per acre, he said, but the family sold it at a discount believing the city had agreed to build soccer fields and a city park.

The city originally came to the Schow family and put the land under contract in 2000 because Alpine School District had taken land from the family by eminent domain for a junior high school. Pleasant Grove wanted to build a sports park next to the proposed school so the school and city could share facilities.

But the district decided not to build the school, and Pleasant Grove decided to use its land to build a lagoon necessary for pressurized irrigation.

Problem is, the city did not tell the Schows or others living in the area of the change of plans, Schow said. Had the family known what the land would be used for, the city would have been charged full price, though the family has not asked for more money, he said.

"We believe public works projects should pay for themselves," Schow said.

"I think he has his own desires and plans," said Daniels of Schow, noting the city could not comment further because of litigation.

Schow said he is concerned the weight of the 9-acre pond will cause settling of nearby homes and wants the city to agree to indemnify homeowners should that happen.

"We are concerned about the safety of the area," he said. "We understand the need for irrigation water, but we are disappointed because they came in and did this without consulting the neighborhood."

Schow said he would like the city to hold public hearings on construction of the pond to give residents a chance to voice their concerns. He said he offered the city other land on his farm so the city could build soccer fields where the lagoon is being constructed, but the city would not pay full price for the additional land.

Schow said the city has plans for a 4-acre residential park near the irrigation pond, but has allotted money only to build the pond. He would like the city to finish the park at the same time as the pond. He would also like the pond to be fenced, and would like the city "to define the park's purpose," he said.