But North Salt Lake's definition of open space is different than Salt Lake City's. North Salt Lake would like to install grass and paved trails on the 50 acres, keeping it as improved open space, while Salt Lake City would like to keep the land as untouched grasslands.

Council chairman Dale Lambert said he has been disturbed for a long time about development in the foothills and is unwilling to see the 80 acres scarred with homes.

"This is a place where we have to draw the line." he said.

Briggs said Salt Lake leaders are hypocrites: While they have denied North Salt Lake's compromise efforts, Salt Lake officials have allowed massive foothill developments to take place within the city's boundaries so they can get revenue from those projects.

"They didn't stop the development if they're the ones getting the revenue," he said.

North Salt Lake is willing to sell the land to Salt Lake City so the city can preserve it as open space, Briggs said. Already, North Salt Lake has requested $900,000 from the state's LeRay McAllister Open Space Fund to preserve 50 of the 80 acres.

The remaining 30 acres are worth some $4.5 million, Briggs said. North Salt Lake wants the money for myriad needs, including paying off a $7 million golf course bond, a new fire station, and parks and trail improvements.

If no compromise can be reached, most expect the issue will head for court.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com