Associated Press - October 30, 2009 5:04 PM ET

BOISE, Idaho (AP) - A company that pushed to build a residential treatment center for troubled teens in rural western Idaho is suing Boise County in federal court, saying commissioners violated the Fair Housing Act when they scuttled the center's proposal amid staunch local opposition.

Development firm Oaas-Laney sought approval in 2007 to build Alamar Ranch, a 72-bed facility that would have treated teens with behavioral problems or addictions.

But neighbors fought to keep the ranch from being built, citing traffic, fire and safety concerns and even holding a fundraising event featuring a local folk singer, according to the lawsuit.

Boise County eventually approved the project, but under conditions that Alamar Ranch officials said were arbitrary, discriminatory and made the project financially impossible.

Boise County maintains the decision was based on legitimate government interests.

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