By Maria Hickey, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Opponents of a shopping center development plan in Sunset Hills filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the city.
The group Stop the Sunset Hills Land Grab wanted a referendum on the development, but city officials said it would not carry legal weight.
The Novus Development Corporation project will displace 254 homes and get 42 million dollars in tax increment financing from Sunset Hills.
Plaintiff Will Aschinger says state statute does not require the city to put it on the ballot but the Missouri Constitution gives residents the right to petition to change things they don't like.
"Our point is that over 600 registered voters want this to go before the city of Sunset Hills' citizens to vote on it, and the city should allow that vote," Aschinger said.
Mayor Jim Hobbs would not comment on the suit, other than to say the city followed the statute "down the line."