The new "natural open space" zone would apply to areas of geologic significance, wetlands, stream corridors, foothills, mountains, shorelands and areas of significant wildlife habitat.

Trails and trailheads without parking lots would be permitted, but that's it. Doug Wheelwright, a city planner, said the aim is to keep the land pure from development, "pure as can be."

By comparison, the city's existing open space zone allows a variety of uses, including parks, cemeteries, golf courses and country clubs.

There are a few specific properties the city has in mind to zone as natural open space. One is land owned by North Salt Lake that sits in the capital's boundaries. Those 80 acres are the subject of a lawsuit because Salt Lake City denied North Salt Lake's request to build housing and a cemetery there. North Salt Lake wants money from the development to help pay off its golf course.

The land is considered a beach of the ancient Lake Bonneville. It sits on Salt Lake City's east bench.

The two cities recently tried to resolve their differences outside of court, but the mediation failed. "We're going ahead with the lawsuits," said Salt Lake City Attorney Ed Rutan.

The other pieces of property the city could rezone are adjacent to the North Salt Lake land. They are called the Hunter/Bates property and portions of the Lakeview and Staker properties. The latter are associated with gravel extractions businesses. Some of the owners of those properties have threatened to sue the city over the rezoning.

The city will hold a public hearing on Nov. 1 on the merits of the new zone. On Nov. 15, the council will hold a hearing on the specific properties.

hmay@sltrib.com