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The recent ribbon cutting for the new home of the Community Council of St. Charles County caught my attention because it’s now located in my district. And while I was unable to attend the event, I heard that it was very well attended, and I am pleased to know that.

Community Council has played an extremely important role in our community for nearly 70 years. It was founded in 1954 when a group of concerned citizens formed an “organization of organizations” to “promote the general welfare of the community,” according to the Community Council website.

Today it is so much more. I wanted to learn more and wanted to pass on that information to all of you, so I reached out to Executive Director Todd Barnes with these questions.

DH: What is Community Council’s role in the community?

TB: Over the years, we have helped bring the YMCA to the City of St. Charles, loaned funds to Bridgeway, helped bring Crider (now Compass) to the area, created an Affordable Housing Task Force, created Emergency Weather Response (EWR) for our unhoused neighbors in the winter, and built homes in 2008 and 2009 during the housing downturn. Those are just a few examples, and in short, we find opportunities to solve community issues collaboratively.

DH: What outreach does Community Council do?

TB: Through a partnership with Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and over 100 area agencies, organizations, governments, churches, and individuals, we initiated and manage the Coordinated Entry process for our unhoused neighbors. After a trust-building assessment, we link our unhoused neighbors to agencies who have the best possible resource connection for their specific needs. We are extremely proud of Coordinated Entry and the difference it has made for our community.

DH: How do you bring people together?

TB: Community Council hosts monthly networking luncheons where timely, topical, best practices are presented by organizations and individuals. Organizations and agencies can participate by providing a resource table related to that month’s topic. These luncheons create valuable connections for attendees.

Additionally, Community Council members can submit information for our weekly e-newsletter that is distributed to over 3,000 contacts. Information includes community happenings, agency announcements, hiring opportunities and resource connections.

DH: Where can people who need assistance find resources?

TB: There is a searchable resource directory with over 600 connections for a variety of needs at communitycouncilstc.org. And, there is a separate Food Resource Guide on that page that is connected to over 50 partners who provide food and education resources. Those who have questions or need additional assistance can call us by dialing 2-1-1.

DH: How can the businesses or individuals support Community Council?

TB: We are a membership organization. Beyond knowing that your investment in Community Council helps agencies and organizations across St. Charles County, you’ll receive discounts on our events and an e-newsletter to help keep you up to date on what we’re doing in the community.

DH: Is there anything else you want people to know?

TB: Yes. There is an opportunity to become a sponsor or participant at our 25^th annual Community Services Summit. It is held each October at Calvary Church in St. Peters and this year it is from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Oct. 10. We have a great agenda filled with excellent speakers and resource providers who serve children and families.

I learned a lot from Todd and appreciate his time. I want to thank everyone, past and present, who over the past 69 years, contributed in some way to make certain this organization continues to be a valuable resource in our community.

I expressed concern in my November blog article about explosive growth in St. Charles County, including the 300 percent increase of apartment units in the last two years. There has recently been a submittal to the St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission for a rezoning from Agricultural District to R1A (1-acre minimum lot size) to R1E Residential District (7,000 sq. ft. minimum lot size) for the purpose of developing an approximate 556-home subdivision near Frontier Middle School, down Highway DD all the way to Schwede Road. 

This request is being made by developer Jeff Kolb and builder Lombardo Homes. If this land is 15 percent or more contiguous with the city limits of O’Fallon, the City could annex the property and the development would likely move quickly to build small lot subdivisions within the city limits with even more homes than the plan presented to the County. The developer is claiming it is 15 percent contiguous, but that has not yet been verified.

The problem is our annexation laws. Some cities are aggressive in their desire to grow. They believe that being the biggest and most populated city is good for its existing residents! HOW WRONG THEY ARE!

The developer will be coming before the St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission to request a rezoning from the Agricultural District to a number of Residential Districts. St. Charles County has several residential district types 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. Most of this development will be zoned R1E.

I find many reasons why this type of large development is not a good fit for this area. First and foremost, the St. Charles County 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. Most of the rezoning request is for 4-6 homes per acre in the proposed R1E Residential Districts. This development would back up to Busch Wildlife and sit very near to Broemmelsiek Park, both of which are wildlife preserves. Also, this type of development would add approximately 3,000 cars daily on Highway DD, and be a major burden on the public safety, road infrastructure, schools and water systems which would all impact the current surrounding residents.   

If the area is 15 percent or more contiguous with the city limits of O’Fallon, it puts us in a bad position. Present annexation laws force us to work and negotiate with the developer on lot sizes. Otherwise, O’Fallon will annex the property, march right in, and open up the area for even more growth and density. By the County approving and retaining oversight of this development, the chances of maintaining smaller lot subdivisions further in this area in the future are better.

Most people live in our county with its 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 huge burden to the taxpayers by creating a city urban area that many have fled to get away from.

The St. Charles County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on this plan is at 7 p.m., June 21, at the Family Arena to accommodate the potential for an influx of concerned residents to have public discussion on this subject. Please show up to express your opinion. Also watch for postings for information on public information meetings as well.

Thanks, Joe

County government recently sent two mailers to all households in St. Charles County with information about the history and plans for the County’s ½-cent Transportation Sales Tax; one in December 2021 and one in March 2022. I hope you have had an opportunity to read them. I did, and I can tell you, I am impressed with how well that money has been managed. 

Did you know that if we hadn’t had this tax to contribute to important projects like Route 364/Page Avenue, the Gutermuth Road Interchange, and the Heritage Crossing Ramps, they wouldn’t be complete? And, that important projects like David Hoekel Parkway, Route K/I-70 Interchange and the Route 94 Widening might not even be in progress?

As you can see on the informational mailers, funding from this tax has been distributed equitably across the county. I’m pleased that each County Council member has been actively involved in making certain their district roads receive the funding necessary to complete important projects and thank the St. Charles County Road Board for doing the heavy lifting by evaluating and recommending projects for the Transportation Improvement Plan each year.

In District 1, the district I represent, these are some of the projects budgeted for 2022:

• Reconstruction and improvement of land configuration on Guthrie Road
• Construction of Phase 2D of David Hoekel Parkway
• Construction of Great Oaks Road Extension
• Improvements and reconstruction of Mexico Road from Josephville Road to Midland Park Drive
• Reconstruction of part of Peine Road
• Construction of US 61 West Outer Road Extension Phases 2, 2A and 3
• Reconstruction of Phase 3 of a section of West Meyer Road
• Reconstruction at West Pearce Boulevard and Meyer Road traffic
• Reconstruction on Josephville Road from Highway P south to Kersting Road
• Reconstruction of West Meyer Road from Highway W east to Duenke Road

As you read in this newsletter, reauthorization of this tax is up for your approval on the April 5 ballot. I encourage you to read up on all this tax is enabling us to do to improve the infrastructure of St. Charles County prior to making your decision how to vote.

I remember how our county roads used to be before the Transportation Improvement Plan program and enjoy the benefits from all the improvements. That is why I fully support the continuance of this small sales tax for our roads.