Austin Homes, a Johnson County-based development company owned by Greg Prieb, has sued the city of Shawnee for denying its application to build a multi-family project near Johnson Drive and K-7 Highway.

The Woodsonia West Multi-Family development was proposed as a $50 million project to build 42 townhome units in 14 triplex buildings and 384 apartment units in 16 multi-story buildings on about 29 acres in the 5300 block of Woodsonia Drive. The city council on Dec. 23 rejected a rezoning request and preliminary plan submittal from Prieb Homes on the project.

The Woodsonia plan had called for at least 14 dwelling units per acre — the underlying cause for concern for councilmembers and neighboring homeowners. Dozens of neighbors had come out in force and even signed a protest petition asking the city to reject the proposed plans in favor of a less dense project.

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