NORTH SALT LAKE -- Salt Lake City has already won one round in its battles with North Salt Lake and is trying to win a second. A Salt Lake City judge last week upheld Mayor Rocky Anderson's "ambush" effort to condemn 13 of 80 acres of land owned by North Salt Lake within the city limits of its southern neighbor. Actual condemnation of the land, however, would take place pending the outcome of North Salt Lake's suit to disconnect all 80 acres from Salt Lake City. In its effort to win the next skirmish, Salt Lake City has filed a motion with the Utah Supreme Court to move the upcoming trial out of Davis County.

Hansen, who initially chose Davis County for the trial, will decide Thursday whether to move forward with the case or wait to hear the Supreme Court's decision over the venue issue, according to North Salt Lake City Attorney Brent Hatch.

Judge Hansen ruled Nov. 10 that Davis County would be the most appropriate venue for hearing the dispute between North Salt Lake and Salt Lake counties.

The lawsuit was inspired by a rally held mid-June by Rocky Anderson announcing the condemnation of 13 acres of land, which would block additional development on the southeast portion of North Salt Lake's benches.

In Thursday's hearing, Hansen may address Salt Lake County's motion to dismiss North Salt Lake's disconnection action, depending on the outcome of the pre-trial proceedings on the venue issues.

If the court decides to dismiss North Salt Lake's motion, Hansen will need to make a decision on whether or not to dismiss the entire lawsuit, according to Hatch.

Officials were hoping to begin the trial in early January. Now the anticipated date of the hearing is unknown.

Initially, city officials planned to develop 20 acres of the 80 acres of land for resident housing, 10 for a cemetery, and preserve the other 50 acres for open space and trails.



sclarke@davisclipper.com