NORTH SALT LAKE -- Local officials are not surprised that Salt Lake City is asking to have all 80 acres condemned instead of just 13 acres of land owned by North Salt Lake. Since last June, the two cities have been at odds over the North Salt Lake-owned acreage which is located within Salt Lake City's boundaries.

After several years of requests made by North Salt Lake officials to develop a portion of the land in question, Salt Lake City's mayor, Rocky Anderson, ignited a lawsuit when he condemned 13 acres of the land. The land is located on the northern edge of the acreage in question, cutting the other 67 acres off to North Salt Lake. Currently there are two lawsuits in litigation. One in Salt Lake County disputes the condemnation orders, and another in Davis County seeks to have the entire 80 acres disconnected from Salt Lake City's boundaries and eventually from Salt Lake County's boundaries.

"We are forcing them to proceed and they are are forcing us to proceed," said Mike Neilson, North Salt Lake attorney.

Last week Salt Lake City's attorney on the case, Morris Haggerty, informed North Salt officials that he was going to file a motion with the court to have all the acreage condemned.

While Salt Lake City officials did not return calls to the Clipper in time to comment, North Salt Lake city officials were not surprised about the proposed motion.

North Salt Lake Mayor Kay Briggs believes legally Salt Lake City would have a stronger case by condemning all 80 acres.

If the motion is granted it would be an amended complaint to the existing lawsuit over the 13 acres.

Salt Lake City plans to make the motion to the court for the full 80 acres next week. Typically motions to amend are granted, according to Haggerty.

Judge Glenn Iwasaki with the Third District Court of Salt Lake will address the motion.

sclarke@davisclipper.com