I tried editing the curve first before changing it to a planar surface, but it was no go.

I then changed it to a planar surface and tried rebuilding the curve, but the only thing I could do was increase the number of spans.

No matter what way I try to edit it, there are always at least 3 lines going in the x and y axis.........and another puzzling thing is.......

I tried to see if I could manipulate the CV's where these lines cross (in component mode) but it shows the plane as only have 4 points around the perimeter of the plane.