Relteva, a St. Louis-based developer, is suing the Greater Bustleton Civic League and Sandmeyer Steel Company in a dispute over the ground at 1 Red Lion Road.
The lawsuit, filed in the Court of Common Pleas, accuses the GBCL and Sandmeyer of filing frivolous appeals to prevent Relteva from building a sorting facility for UPS. Some 425 jobs would be created.
Jack O’Hara, president of the GBCL, announced the lawsuit at the group’s Jan. 24 meeting. O’Hara said he was advised by the group’s attorneys who are handling the appeal to not comment publicly on the suit. The lawsuit argued that the ground in question isn’t located within GBCL boundaries.
The ground was home to the Budd Company rail manufacturer until 1987. The Island Green Country Club operated there from 1998 to 2011. Teva Pharmaceuticals bought the land, but never developed it.
Relteva bought the ground in 2018 and entered into a contract with UPS a year later.
The lawsuit argues that the land is zoned industrial and that Relteva can develop on it “by right.” The company has obtained building and zoning permits to begin work on 136 acres on Red Lion Road and adjacent 10098 Sandmeyer Lane.
The GBCL has noted that city Civic Design Review members have questioned the density of the proposal and suggested Relteva and UPS address community concerns.
Still, the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Common Pleas Court have rejected GBCL appeals. The group is now appealing in Commonwealth Court.
While O’Hara has been advised to stay mum, in past comments, he has said the GBCL opposes the size and scope of the proposed UPS facility, with neighbors worried about the increased traffic.
Now, a group used to dealing with issues such as neighborhood cleanups and Thanksgiving meal giveaways is facing a lawsuit that, among other things, could see its insurance company raise its rates or drop coverage. ••
