After months of vocal opposition from residents, Forest Hills officials have denied a request by an auto insurance company to build a claims center off Ardmore Boulevard.

Council voted 6-0 at last night's meeting to turn down a bid by Ohio-based Progressive Insurance to construct an 18,787-square-foot facility at the top of Digital Drive.

Progressive wants to move its current leased claims center on Rodi Road in Penn Hills and build a larger, $5 million facility which would evaluate about 45 damaged vehicles a day, send them to local body shops for repairs, then return them to customers for pick-up.

Council member Martin O'Malley said the conditional use application was denied because "it is for an auto claims center, not for an office. Less than 6,000 square feet is used for office space."