Litigation might be the only way to end North Salt Lake and Salt Lake City's fight over 80 acres of open space.

After unsuccessful attempts to negotiate a settlement, North Salt Lake has filed a "notice to submit" in 2nd District Court in Farmington, meaning they're ready to move forward on a petition filed in July against Salt Lake City.

The petition challenges a decision by the Salt Lake City Council to deny North Salt Lake control of the open space that is owned by North Salt Lake but lies within Salt Lake City's borders. Both cities had agreed to postpone a hearing on the petition to try to negotiate a settlement.

Brent O. Hatch, attorney for North Salt Lake, said, "The parties seem far enough apart that litigation is likely necessary to resolve the matter."

In past interviews, North Salt Lake Mayor Kay Briggs has said he would prefer to negotiate a settlement rather than go to court. Briggs was unavailable for comment Thursday.

Salt Lake City Council members met behind closed doors to discuss the North Salt Lake issue this past week. Council members said they could not say what was discussed because it related to ongoing litigation.

The fight over the open space became contentious over the past year, with the mayors of both cities trading heated words over how the land should be used.

North Salt Lake wants to put housing on 20 of the acres and use 10 for a cemetery. Groomed trails could be built on the remaining acreage, city officials say.

Salt Lake City, however, wants the land preserved as open space.

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