Court ruling on legal challenge to proposed Quaker Valley High School to come soon

Oral arguments were heard and an Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas judge may soon render his opinion on a legal challenge involving a proposed Quaker Valley High School.

Senior Judge Joseph James listened to attorneys representing the district, Leet Township Zoning Hearing Board and opponents of the project on Oct. 27.

Court clerks conformed Nov. 7 that the judge is in the process of rendering an opinion. It is unclear when it would be finalized and sent to the respective parties.

ZHB solicitor Vince Restauri Jr. said the session lasted about an hour and 15 minutes.

“(Judge James) was very patient with all the lawyers (and) heard from all of the lawyers who wanted to speak,” Restauri said. “He asked a number of questions. All the lawyers did their best to answer the questions. There’s not much I can tell you. The judge will do what he believes is best under all of the circumstances.”

The school district wants to build an estimated 167,000-square-foot facility on about 150 acres of land off Camp Meeting Road. Project costs were estimated earlier this year to be between $90 million and $100 million. About 650 students would eventually be enrolled.

The property straddles Leet, Edgeworth and Leetsdale. BSHM is the lead company working on the project.

The Leet Township Zoning Hearing Board on Feb. 9 denied the district’s application. Its main reason was the lack of an emergency access road for police fire and EMS.

District officials had said they did not object to the idea, but that it would be more suitable in a land development plan and not part of a zoning exception application.

Quaker Valley’s 45-page appeal was filed in Allegheny County Court in April. A virtual status conference with Judge James took place June 16.

Attorney Lou DePaul represents a pair of petitioners whose claims include “the proposed use is dangerous, injurious, and noxious to property and persons within Leet Township; the proposed location is not more suitable than other properties in Leet Township (and) the proposed location is objectively not suitable,” according to court documents.

DePaul did not return calls seeking comment.

Superintendent Tammy Andreyko said design development continues as does discussions for energy management and sustainability of the proposed school.

She said her team felt confident with last month’s proceedings and noted the judge was very attentive throughout the hearing.

“We do know that he carries a considerable workload, and he assured us that he will issue a decision as soon as is practical considering this,” Andreyko said via email. “At this time, we remain eager to build at the property on Camp Meeting Road. The district’s priority is to design a future-ready school for our students and staff.”