In Part 2 of our conversation with Bill Carrier from Citizens for Smart Growth in St. Charles County, we dive deeper into the legal, emotional, and philosophical battles at the heart of modern rural development.

We talk farmland loss, wetland destruction, the zoning loopholes that bypass public concern—and the people fighting back. Bill shares how a casual group of concerned residents evolved into a powerful citizen-led movement, and why it’s more important than ever to get involved.

Whether you're frustrated by traffic, heartbroken over lost open space, or simply curious about how decisions are made—this conversation is a roadmap for action.

Topics Covered:

• The legal fight against forced annexation
• How farmland gets squeezed out—one development at a time
• Misuse of the term "Smart Growth"
• What everyday people can do to protect their communities
• The power of showing up and staying informed
• Personal motivations: why this matters to Bill and to us all
• The importance of shared values and taking off the “jerseys”

Mentioned in the Episode:

• Citizens for Smart Growth: https://smartgrowthscc.com
• Their Facebook group: Citizens for Smart Growth – St. Charles County
• Submit your feedback, topic requests, or local stories: https://newmellepulse.news

Recorded at: Friedens Community Center in New Melle, Missouri — the home of the New Melle Farmers Market, the Food Co-op, and so much more.

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

Growth isn’t bad. Growth without wisdom, transparency, and true community vision is. In Episode 4 of The New Melle Pulse, we dig into the blueprint that’s guiding the future of development in Saint Charles County: the 10-Year Master Plan. This isn't just policy talk—it’s a powerful breakdown of how zoning, land use, and economic priorities are reshaping rural life across our communities.

We explore how growth projections, infrastructure constraints, and rezoning decisions affect everyday citizens—and why understanding these mechanisms is crucial if you care about the land, the roads, and the life we share here.

From visual walkthroughs of the Future Land Use Map to firsthand commentary on water systems, clustering, and wealth migration data, this episode connects the dots between planning documents and the actual changes people are seeing on the ground.

We also reflect on what citizen action looks like in practice—and how to move from frustration to influence.

Highlights: – What zoning really is (and why it matters) – Why the “2030 vision” could change your neighborhood – The myth of land shortage vs. development pressure – Where citizens are moving—and why they’re leaving – What smarter, citizen-led growth could look like

This is Part 2 of our multi-episode development series.

Resources Mentioned: – St. Charles County 10-Year Master Plan – https://sccmo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=b69ad5233ea341eda49653267818dccb

2023 State of the County Presentation – https://www.youtube.com/live/gmcokirBUnw?si=YkwQ1gIZEG_yMTKu

2024 Economic Report & Growth Metrics – https://www.youtube.com/live/xiCbt3VzWsI?si=pqFsP-_vdl60O2zm

Citizens for Smart Growth – https://smartgrowthscc.com/

Submit feedback: https://newmellepulse.news/contact

Learn more & join the conversation: Website: https://newmellepulse.news YouTube: @TheNewMellePulse