By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – An organization fighting a proposed shopping center in Sunset Hills is hoping to bring the matter to a public vote.
Last week the community's board of aldermen approved a plan to demolish about 250 homes to make way for a $165 million retail and office complex.
But opponents say most residents would vote against it given the chance. Will Aschinger heads a group called Stop the Sunset Hills Land Grab.
"I think it's up to the mayor and the board of aldermen if they want to put this out and let the citizens of Sunset Hills decide what they want," Ashinger said. "And that's all we're asking."
However as a fourth-class municipality under Missouri law, the 600 petition signatures the group submitted Thursday carry no legal weight.
But Aschinger said he still hopes they'll put political pressure on local leaders.