All built up . . . and nowhere to go

Arce-Laretta and Hansen have also stepped back from an aggressive campaign against the city, where they had collected signatures and petitions of support for preservation of the land.

Now they're in negotiations with the city, hoping to keep talks amicable and push their plan for preservation in a logical, straightforward manner. Earlier this month, Arce-Laretta and Hansen met with city officials and pledged to raise $2 million over the next year to purchase a conservation easement for the 80 acres.

Nearly $1 million has been pledged by state lawmakers, including Sen. Dan Eastman, R-Bountiful, through the LeRay McAllister Open Space fund, they say.

"We feel we've come up with a proposal that is a win-win," said Arce-Laretta, who was fired by Salt Lake Mayor Rocky Anderson. "Further development is not in their best interest."

But Hansen admits that the city will likely go with a plan to develop the land.

"My impression all along is that this decision has kind of been made, and they're just going through the process," he said. "But I don't know."

Briggs and North Salt Lake City Manager Collin Wood say the city is trying to do what's best for residents. They are working to conserve almost 90 acres in the foothills above the disputed land.

"If anything we're pushing more open space than they are," Briggs said. "There isn't a single soul on the council that is opposed to open space."

On Tuesday, Briggs met with several developers in addition to Arce-Laretta and Hansen. Those development offers were flattering, Briggs said. And while the land has increased in value, city leaders won't consent to have it all developed.

"What's happening to that place up there as it has become more and more popular, people are willing to pay more and more to develop all the land," he said. "We keep trying to tell them that no, we'd like to develop a limited portion of that."

Hansen and Arce-Laretta wonder about ulterior motives for that stance. There is no reason why the land can't all be preserved, they say. "Why is this beneficial, why do they feel like they need to do this"? asked Arce-Laretta.

Wood and Briggs deny any personal benefit if the land is developed.

"There's nobody standing to gain from it personally," Wood said. "You've got elected officials that have the good of the city at heart. They're not going to do anything detrimental to the city as a whole."

Added Briggs: "I think that that's probably some of the most prime real estate in all of Utah. It's closer to Salt Lake City than Sandy or West Valley, and it doesn't eat up farmland."