Episode 5 – Local Voices, Big Impact: The St. Charles County Citizens Changing Development in Missouri | Part 1

In this episode, we welcome our very first guest to The New Melle Pulse: Bill Carrier, a founding member of Citizens for Smart Growth in St. Charles County. What began as a handful of neighbors concerned about a dense housing proposal has evolved into a well-organized citizen response effort pushing back against unchecked development.

We walk through the Tall Tree development, the politics of annexation, and the challenges everyday citizens face in being heard. Bill shares the full backstory—including how legal action is now underway to challenge what many see as a sidestep of the public process.

Whether you’re a longtime resident or just moved here for the open space, this episode offers essential insight into the future of our county—and what we can all do to shape it.

In this episode:

• The rise of Citizens for Smart Growth
• Tall Tree development timeline and council response
• Annexation, zoning, and planning loopholes
• County vs. city jurisdiction dynamics
• Why development pressures are shifting toward St. Paul
• Financial analysis and infrastructure concerns
• The public’s role in shaping growth—and what’s at stake
• Legal updates and what happens next

This is Part 1 of our extended conversation with Bill Carrier. Part 2 continues next week.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Citizens for Smart Growth Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/584675397081687
• Citizens for Smart Growth Website:https://smartgrowthscc.com/
• St. Charles County Future Land Use Map: https://sccmo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=b69ad5233ea341eda49653267818dccb
• Submit feedback or contact the show: https://newmellepulse.news/contact

Learn more about The New Melle Pulse and upcoming events at: https://newmellepulse.news