Open-space fight rages on
The Salt Lake County Council put off a decision Tuesday that would have ultimately shattered the Davis County city's hopes of ever annexing the land.
North Salt Lake owns the land, but it is situated in Salt Lake City's borders. For more than four years, the neighboring cities have fought over the pristine foothill property that straddles the border between North Salt Lake and Salt Lake City. The former wants to develop the land, and spare some as open space, while the latter wants to leave the land free of development.
"I think you are all scrapping for the same thing here," Davis County Commissioner Dannie McConkie told the Salt Lake County Council. "It's not worth fighting over, folks. Make a deal, shake hands, hug, kiss and be friends."
The cities now are battling it out in court. If a 2nd District Court judge rules to disconnect the land from Salt Lake City, it would then become unincorporated land. Salt Lake County would have ultimate authority over deciding whether North Salt Lake could then annex the land into that city.
To date, the County Council has remained neutral on the subject but chose to weigh in after the North Salt Lake city manager filed an affidavit claiming that Salt Lake County supported the Davis County city in the battle.
The Salt Lake County Council is considering a resolution that says if North Salt Lake wins in court and gets the land disconnected from Salt Lake City, the council would not allow the land to be annexed into Davis County.
Council Chairman Cort Ashton, who penned the resolution, said he was supporting open space. But North Salt Lake officials said that's exactly what they are trying to do.
"I don't know anybody pushing open space more than we are," North Salt Lake Mayor Kay Briggs said. "When you point your finger against North Salt Lake and say, 'We're going forward with this resolution'... I feel that is a little unjust and unfair."
The County Council tabled the discussion on the resolution for another few weeks. If the North Salt Lake city manager amends his original affidavit, the council will likely remain neutral on the subject until the court makes a final ruling, council members said. If the city manager doesn't change his statement, Councilman Joe Hatch said the council will likely pass the resolution.
"You dragged us into this," Hatch told North Salt Lake leaders. "I think if you push us into taking sides, my sense is you won't like the side we take."
E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com
Comments
- Package deal for S.L. area 7:12 p.m.
- Budget road trip 7:12 p.m.
- Carlos becomes hurricane off Baja 6:54 p.m.
- Cheney-CIA counterterrorism talk 6:53 p.m.
- Peirsol breaks WR in 200 back 6:51 p.m.
- Logan canal breaks; 3 to 4 missing 6:37 p.m.
- 'Mates: Millsap deserves big payday 5:22 p.m.
- Millsap offer: $10.3M up front 4:59 p.m.
- Questions about osteoarthritis 4:43 p.m.
- 'Love advocates' plan 'kiss-in' 3:46 p.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- Logan canal breaks; 3 to 4 missing
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Millsap offer: $10.3M up front
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- LDS seminary principal arrested
332 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
192 - 2 men cited on LDS plaza
164 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
141 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
124 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
101 - Fairness of BCS debated
83 - Letters: Single-payer system best
76 - Services bids farewell to Jackson
70
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
let Milsap go, I relize he may be one of 4 people on the team with heart, get...
To "I Smell California," who brilliantly made the following comment a few...
dollar contract and he is getting 10 million this year than he will only be...
The Jazz already have a couple of other PFs they can use: Okur is really a...
Wasn't Joseph Smith's "inspired translation" enough? Will someone please...
I had Bro Pratt as a seminary teacher only two years ago. He is the most...
We do need to see the evidence as it comes out in the Legal system. If...
We want this stuff. The media aren't making money without our permission,...
I don't want homosexuals exposing themselves in front of my children. The...
What some of you don't understand is that if GM had filed bankruptcy without...


You can be the first to comment on this story.