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Government
Letter to the Editor - Is More Growth Too Much?
This past November, I expressed concerns about the explosive growth in St. Charles County, including the explosion of apartment buildings by over 300% in the past two years.
Recently, a request for rezoning was submitted to the St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission to develop an approximate 600-home subdivision near Frontier Middle School on Highway DD to Schwede Road. In this request, the property is being rezoned from Agricultural District to R1A (1-acre minimum lot size) and R1E Residential District (7,000 square feet minimum lot size).
St. Charles County has several residential districts such as RR (Rural Residential) – 3-acre minimum lot size; R1A – 1-acre minimum lot size; R1B – 20,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size; R1C – 15,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size; R1D – 10,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size; and R1E – 7,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size.
The request was submitted by developer Jeff Kolb and builder Lombardo Homes. The developer believes that the property is 15% contiguous to the City of O’Fallon, and, therefore, can be annexed into the City of O’Fallon, but this has not been verified with the County. If this were to happen, it would force St. Charles County to negotiate with the developer on lot sizes; otherwise, O’Fallon will march right in and open up the area for even more growth. It would at least serve as a dam for future small lot subdivisions.
The problem is our annexation laws. Some cities are aggressive in their desire to grow, and they believe that being the biggest and most populated is good for its existing residents! HOW WRONG THEY ARE!
I find many reasons why this type of large development is not a good fit for this area. First and foremost, St. Charles County’s 2030 Master Plan shows Low-Density Residential (1 – 4 homes per acre) and Rural Residential (3 acres per lot) on most of this development area. The rezoning request is for 4 – 6 homes per acre, which is the R1E Residential District. This development backs up to Busch Wildlife and near Broemmelsiek Park, which are both wildlife preserves.
Additionally, Highway DD will experience an increase in traffic of approximately 3,000 vehicles each day, which will have a considerable impact on public safety. A major burden will be placed on infrastructure, schools, and water systems, causing issues for the current surrounding residents.
In addition to this subdivision, The Harvest, a new development off Highway N and Hopewell Rd, will have 896 houses, including single-family and row housing.
Thanks,
Joe Brazil
County Councilman
District 2
Recently, a request for rezoning was submitted to the St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission to develop an approximate 600-home subdivision near Frontier Middle School on Highway DD to Schwede Road. In this request, the property is being rezoned from Agricultural District to R1A (1-acre minimum lot size) and R1E Residential District (7,000 square feet minimum lot size).
St. Charles County has several residential districts such as RR (Rural Residential) – 3-acre minimum lot size; R1A – 1-acre minimum lot size; R1B – 20,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size; R1C – 15,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size; R1D – 10,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size; and R1E – 7,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size.
The request was submitted by developer Jeff Kolb and builder Lombardo Homes. The developer believes that the property is 15% contiguous to the City of O’Fallon, and, therefore, can be annexed into the City of O’Fallon, but this has not been verified with the County. If this were to happen, it would force St. Charles County to negotiate with the developer on lot sizes; otherwise, O’Fallon will march right in and open up the area for even more growth. It would at least serve as a dam for future small lot subdivisions.
The problem is our annexation laws. Some cities are aggressive in their desire to grow, and they believe that being the biggest and most populated is good for its existing residents! HOW WRONG THEY ARE!
I find many reasons why this type of large development is not a good fit for this area. First and foremost, St. Charles County’s 2030 Master Plan shows Low-Density Residential (1 – 4 homes per acre) and Rural Residential (3 acres per lot) on most of this development area. The rezoning request is for 4 – 6 homes per acre, which is the R1E Residential District. This development backs up to Busch Wildlife and near Broemmelsiek Park, which are both wildlife preserves.
Additionally, Highway DD will experience an increase in traffic of approximately 3,000 vehicles each day, which will have a considerable impact on public safety. A major burden will be placed on infrastructure, schools, and water systems, causing issues for the current surrounding residents.
In addition to this subdivision, The Harvest, a new development off Highway N and Hopewell Rd, will have 896 houses, including single-family and row housing.
Most residents live in our county and the rural areas because they love the way it is, but local decision-makers are destroying it by pushing the notion that it is necessary to be the fastest-growing county in Missouri. That is not a badge of honor but a massive burden to the taxpayers and creates a city urban area that many have fled to get away from.
The first St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting is on June 21st at 7:00 p.m. at The Family Arena, 2002 Arena Pkwy, St. Charles, MO 63303. (This is to accommodate the potential influx of concerned residents having input for a public discussion on this subject.) Please show up to express your opinion. For more information, watch for postings on public information meetings as they become available at www.sccmo.org/AgendaCenter.Thanks,
Joe Brazil
County Councilman
District 2
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