Open space under fire

A group of North Salt Lake residents, led by Juan Arce-Laretta and Joe Hansen, are trying to build a ground swell of support for preserving the land. They figure if enough North Salt Lakers speak up elected officials will be forced to listen.

That political pressure, if it materializes, may be the only thing that stops North Salt Lake Mayor Kay Briggs and his City Council from moving forward with development plans.

But efforts have been discouraging.

The mayor and council have admitted that a portion of the 80 acres will likely be developed. Developers have proposed plans that call for up to 25 acres to be developed — something Briggs says is the maximum the city will agree to.

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, straight-forward 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 used to work for Salt Lake City but was fired by 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."