Two huge developments would transform swaths of south Overland Park under plans headed to the City Council next week. On Aug. 7, the council will consider the two projects with hundreds of apartments and commercial space. The first is Metcalf Village, on 40 acres of vacant land on the southeast corner of 159th Street and Metcalf Avenue, where the developer is proposing 900 residential units, including apartments and townhomes, restaurants and retail space, plus parks and pickleball courts. The other project, Schlagel Farms, is at the southeast corner of 175th Street and Pflumm Road, where developers hope to build 300 apartments, [...]

Officials have debated adjusting laws to pave the way for duplexes, small apartment buildings and other cheaper options for families struggling to buy a home in the city known for Cape Cod houses torn down to make way for McMansions. But the idea has ignited fierce opposition from residents who argue the city of 23,000 people is already built out and too dense to welcome the multi-unit housing they fear would crowd the tree-lined suburb and take away its neighborhood feel. Red “Stop Rezoning” signs have been cropping up in front yards across the city, where average home prices topped $536,000 [...]