PLEASANT GROVE - A much-needed freeway connector road is in limbo, now that frustrated landowners along the right of way are seeking to disconnect from the city.

Stan Smith and eight owners of 107 acres near the American Fork boundary want out of Pleasant Grove, arguing the Utah County city has plugged up development by not fulfilling its obligation to construct 2000 West - a major five-lane road needed to alleviate north-south traffic in the area.

Smith and the other landowners, most of whom are family, said the city has balked at agreements that would have allowed the street to go forward two years ago and would like to shift their land into American Fork, where they believe the road will have better success.

"I don't believe [the road] will ever be built if we stay in Pleasant Grove," Smith said.

"The big problem now is the land values have skyrocketed," added Smith's attorney, Stephen Quesenberry, who represents most of the landowners along the corridor. "It's just going to get worse every day."

In the request to disconnect, Smith said Pleasant Grove has not dealt in "good faith" with the property owners and developers.

Pleasant Grove Mayor Mike Daniels maintains the city has dealt in good faith and insists the city would like to see the road built, but doesn't have the money developers working with 2000 West property owners want.

"The amount they're asking for is substantially higher than what other developers have asked for," Daniels said. "We offered them the same deals that other people accepted. We don't want to treat one property owner or developer differently than any other."

Still, Daniels remains optimistic.

"We're having our back and forth on this, and we will get it resolved," he said.

Not so, counter the landowners.

They point to a 2004 development agreement for 2000 West that would have allowed the developers, Fusion Group, to buy the land and build the road in exchange of $150,000-per-acre vouchers from the city.

Developers have copies of the deal and say it was ready to go, but the city balked.

"They were asking for some things the city couldn't commit to," said City Attorney Tina Petersen, who added the city made a subsequent offer that was rejected.

In a letter Friday to Utah County commissioners, Quesenberry criticized Pleasant Grove's mayor and City Administrator Frank Mills for "destroying the chances of 2000 West ever being built."

"We call upon you to use whatever power, authority and influence you have to get this situation solved," Quesenberry wrote to commissioners.

Commissioner Steve White said Tuesday the commission has no statutory authority to do anything on the matter.

Daniels said it was unfortunate he and Mills are being criticized.

"Mr. Smith and his party are trying to influence people to move forward on something that is in their best interest, and I can't fault them for doing that," Daniels said.

Quesenberry said delays on the road, which would create a looping connection from State Street in Pleasant Grove at 2000 West to State Street in Lindon, are causing concern for state transportation agencies and American Fork Hospital.

He said the road is a must to divert traffic when State Street shuts down at the Pleasant Grove Bridge for construction and will be key to easing congestion when the Interstate 15 expansion begins.

"When those issues are resolved and that connection is made, absolutely, that will be a benefit," said Geoff Dupaix, a spokesman for the Utah Department of Transportation.

"It [2000 West] will provide the best access to the hospital," said Intermountain Healthcare spokeswoman Janet Frank.

Daniels said the ideal situation would be for the landowners to accept payment from the city in the form of vouchers that could be exchanged for impact fees or sold to developers.

Smith said family members are happy to sell their land for what it's worth - as long as it's paid for in cash.

"It's time to change and get on a different horse," Smith said. "The horse we've had, for some reason, doesn't know the way."