This article originally appeared on azcentral.com.
A tool that was once nearly unheard of in opposing development has become so common in Arizona that some zoning attorneys are telling their clients to delay closing on their land until the threat has passed.
A decade ago, organizing enough opposition to force a controversial zoning decision to go to the ballot was reserved for only a few of the most high-profile cases.
But referendum efforts have become so common, some zoning attorneys are telling clients to delay closings and build in referendum contingencies to avoid getting stuck with a project that might not be able to build.