NIBLEY, Utah (AP) - A Cache County farmer persuaded city leaders to rezone his property. Another guy who wants to grow houses?

Wrong.

About 40 acres owned by Boyd and Sheri Schiess were changed to agricultural from residential in this fast-growing city, south of Logan.

They plan to turn part of the land into wildlife habitat and also use it for a riding program for disabled children. Llamas and longhorns graze there.

Councilman Thayne Mickelson estimates the couple could have received $1 million or more to turn the land into another use. Boyd Schiess said he's been told he's sitting on a "gold mine."

"It really isn't about money," Sheri Schiess said. "There are other things in life that are just more important. We think keeping green space is one of those things."

City Council members said the philosophy is refreshing.

"All the open space we can maintain gives us a better quality of life for our community," Mickelson said. "We're in such a development mode, we think of roads more than quality of life sometimes."

Boyd Schiess understands why so many neighbors have rezoned their land and sold.

"Some just can't make it anymore," he said.

He doubts his soft land would be suitable for building but someone probably would try. Homes already are pressed against the property line.

"We always said it wasn't good for raising anything but kids, and it raised our children well," Sheri Schiess said. "We want our grandkids to have the same thing."