UPDATES - July 8th 2026
AUGUST 4th ELECTIONS CRITICAL FOR RURAL ST. Charles COUNTY!
• Tall Tree Farm Annexation Legally Challenged
• LSL Blvd Extension Funding Removed by St. Charles County
Facegroup Discussi
OUR COUNTY DESERVES SMART GROWTH. JOIN US TO ENSURE THIS.
STRONG COMMUNITIES. RURAL PRESERVATION. SUSTAINABLE GROWTH.
"Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children's children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance" -Theodore Roosevelt
We need everyone's support and action.
Please do the following:
- Voice your opinions to both the St. Charles County County and City of O'Fallon Link here: https://smartgrowthscc.com/how-to-get-involved
- Tell your Friends and Neighbors what is happening.
- Join the Facebook Group: “Citizens for Smart Growth in St. Charles County - Discussion Group”: https://www.facebook.com/groups/584675397081687/
- Donate to our Legal Fund (See below)
Here are CSGSCC's Updates and Next Steps to Preserve Rural St. Charles County.
1. Support Candidates Who Will Protect Rural St. Charles County
Please VOTE in the Tuesday August 4th, 2026 ELECTION!!!- ST. CHARLES COUNTY
Since 2023, CSGSCC has worked to inform residents, engage local leaders, and advocate for responsible growth while opposing annexations that threaten our rural communities. Achieving long-term balance requires electing leaders who prioritize thoughtful development and reflect the values of the community.
Citizens for Smart Growth in St. Charles County proudly endorses Bill Eigel on August 4th for County Executive
The August 4 Election Will Shape the Future of St. Charles County and the existence of the existence of rural St. Charles County.
The proposed St. Charles County Master Plan isn't just another government document. It is the blueprint that will influence how our county grows for decades to come.
After reviewing the 2030 Master Plan, one thing is clear: this Elhmann plan leaves far too many critical decisions for later and would be catastrophic for green spaces and rural St. Charles County. Instead of creating firm protections for our rural areas and existing communities, it establishes a framework that will make higher-density development easier in the future.
Sewer Expansion Opens the Door to More Dense Development in Rural St. Charles County Paricularly in New Melle Area
Perhaps the most concerning provision involves sanitary sewer expansion for 30,000 Acres surrounding the rural New Melle Area. This would bring dense development such as multi-unit housing to this area.
The draft states that if sewer service is extended beyond the Urban Service Area, surrounding land could move to the next higher land-use category—for example, from Rural Residential to Suburban dense development.
That means infrastructure can become the catalyst for more intensive development. Once sewer lines are extended, pressure for rezoning and increased density often follows.
For residents who value the county's rural character, this is of significant concern.
Too Much Is Left Undefined with large swaths of land set open to development and Rural Protections are non-existent.
The plan repeatedly references land-use categories such as:
- Rural Residential/ Suburban/ General Urban/ Commerce/ Mixed-Use
Yet it provides few meaningful standards defining what those categories actually allow.
There are no firm countywide limits on density, building height, lot sizes, buffering, traffic impacts, lighting, or compatibility with surrounding neighborhoods.
Without clear standards, much of the interpretation will be left to subjective decisions. This is done on purpose to allow heavy developers the opportunity to develop the rural county into an urban landscape.
Broad Categories Create Broad Opportunities for Development
The Commerce designation extends well beyond neighborhood businesses. It includes offices, retail centers, light manufacturing, research and development, artisan manufacturing, and even multifamily housing if it is considered "well-integrated." What is well integrated about Apartments in a rural setting?
The problem is that "well-integrated" is not an objective standard. It is open to interpretation.
Likewise, the General Urban designation allows apartments, condominiums, triplexes, quadplexes, and mixed-use developments but does not establish clear limits on where higher-density growth should stop or how nearby rural and existing residential areas will be protected.
Promises Without Strong Protections
The Master Plan frequently discusses: preserving rural character, protecting watersheds, conserving open space, respecting floodplains, and encouraging responsible growth in nothing more than words but no measurable of map bound requirements.
The document does not translate those goals into enforceable protections. It lacks clear rural preservation standards, meaningful density caps, mandatory transition areas between development types, strong restrictions on sewer-driven upzoning, and clear requirements that roads, schools, emergency services, and infrastructure keep pace before major development is approved.
The 2030 Plan presented and push by Steve Ehlmann will destroy the remaining parts of Rural St. Charles County by tearing up the green space and replacing with concrete urban landscapes charactized by Apartments, gas stations, and car washes.
Why the August 4 Election Matters
Leadership matters because county officials ultimately decide how this Master Plan is implemented, how the Unified Development Ordinance is written, and whether future development decisions prioritize residents or special interests.
The August 4 election will help determine the direction of St. Charles County for years to come.
If you believe our county should pursue smart growth—protecting rural communities, requiring infrastructure before development, preserving property rights, and ensuring growth reflects the wishes of residents rather than developers—this election is one of the most important in recent memory.
Citizens who share that vision should carefully evaluate where candidates stand on growth, development, infrastructure, and local control.
For many residents, that means supporting Bill Eigel, who has pledged to protect local communities from unchecked growth, and opposing the continuation of policies associated with Steve Ehlmann's approach to county development which have historically and will continue to destroy Rural St. Charles County. VOTE OUT STEVE EHLMANN ON AUGUST 4th.
The Bottom Line
St. Charles County deserves a Master Plan that provides clear, enforceable protections—not one that leaves the most important decisions until later.
Our families, businesses, farmers, taxpayers, and future generations deserve growth that is planned responsibly, infrastructure that keeps pace with development, and elected leaders who will protect the character of the communities we call home.
On Tuesday, August 4, voters will have an opportunity to influence that future.
The choice made at the ballot box will help determine whether St. Charles County continues down its current path—or embraces a vision of smart, responsible, and sustainable growth.
Citizens for Smart Growth in St. Charles County proudly endorses Bill Eigel on August 4th for County Executive to best protect the interests of Rural St. Charles County and the entire County in regards to responsible and smart growth.
2. TALL TREE FARM LEGAL CASE: LOCAL RESIDENTS HAVE LEGALLY CONTESTED THE LEGALITY OF THE O'FALLON ANNEXATION OF TALL TREE FARM. The Case involves the illegal annexation of TTF by O'Fallon under Missouri Statutes. Please continue to donate to support our legal fund. See donation options below.
3. Trailside / Menscher Farms & Other Hwy N Developments
The County Council approved the ~470-home Trailside/Menscher Farms project in February 2026, adding to a growing list of O’Fallon-approved developments and annexations along the Hwy N corridor.
This rapid expansion places increasing strain on Hwy N—a two-lane road already facing heavy congestion—as well as on schools, emergency services, and essential infrastructure. Much of this growth stems from outdated zoning and aggressive annexation strategies that do not reflect current capacity.
We strongly urge a moratorium on new development and annexations along Hwy N until roads, schools, and public services are adequately planned, funded, and in place.
Unchecked growth without infrastructure first places an unfair burden on current residents and threatens long-term safety, mobility, and quality of life.
4. LSL Blvd Extension Opposition. COMMUNITY SUCCESS!
On Dec. 20th 2025 The county council voted to remove funding to extend Lake St. Louis Boulevard indefinitely suspending the project.
St. Charles County, Missouri and the City of O'Fallon, Missouri were proposing to extend Lake St. Louis Boulevard from Paul Renaud Blvd to Route DD. Citizens for Smart Growth in St. Charles County is opposed to the extension as it will adversely impact the quality of life of local residents, irreversibly damage natural and historic areas, cost taxpayers more than $20M+ and provide only limited positive impact on local traffic. We ask you to join us in our opposition to this ill-conceived proposal. Congrats to local residents community voices toCounty Council members which made this possible.
Additional Coverage here: https://www.midriversnewsmagazine.com/news/county-council-approves-amended-transportation-improvement-bill/article_9b672252-ddcd-4d95-b941-a97e5004d4e5.html
5. PROTECT RURAL ST. PAUL. COMMUNITY SUCCESS!
On June 30th 2025 as the community of St. Paul successfully convinced the County Council to deny the dense development proposition related to Bill 5369 by a 4 to 3 vote. SCC Bill No. 5369, sought the approval of the rezoning for the "Riverdale" development near St. Paul. Proposed Development The Bluffs at Riverdale would be the densest development in the St. Paul area breaking masterplan guidance for density and lot size. Congrats to the great people of St. Paul holding the County Council accountable to maintain Smart Growth!
Additional Coverage on the St. Paul project here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goA8HK7cZWI
Fundraising efforts are needed to cover legal expenses incurred to date and those needed for the legal challenge to annexation.
(Please note we are only accepting contributions from legal challenges but not lobbying efforts)
- With your support, we can ensure this western portion of St. Charles County remains rural and preserves the area we all love. (See support ways below) Support the critical legal battle against ill-design project & annexations by contributing:
GoFundme
VENMO @SmartGrowth SCC
- - Alternatively, checks can be made payable to "Citizens for Smart Growth in St. Charles County, LLC"
Citizens for Smart Growth in St. Charles County, LLC
4310 Dianna Lane
Wentzville, MO 63385
Learn more about Citizens for Smart Growth in St. Charles County from the recent New Melle Pulse Interview:
Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A7Rm52YTd4
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckHTzjgXaf4
Citizens for Smart Growth in St. Charles County is a group of concerned citizens who oppose rampant and unconstrained growth in our beautiful rural areas. This fight has evolved into political action as it is our elected officials who are entrusted with making the decisions which either doom or protect our areas. All too often we discover elected officials in conflicted situations- either working for or in some way closely aligned with developers. Our group is NOT opposed to all development- we are opposed to development which destroys the atmosphere of our rural areas, and circumvents long term planning which was meant to preserve the look and feel of the area.
Please check back for regular updates. We will share as soon as available.
ADDITIONAL INFO
For more info please join the Facebook Group: “Citizens for Smart Growth in St. Charles County - Discussion Group”:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/584675397081687/
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Citizens for Smart Growth in St. Charles County
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