North Salt Lake still has a fighting chance in a battle over 80 acres of open space.

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."

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