ST. CHARLES (KMOX) -- To the delight of a large crowd, St. Charles County planning and zoning commissioners Wednesday rejected the lay-out for a subdivision in the Missouri Bluffs area.
One public speaker urged: "We don't want trees taken down. Save the trees! The trees are the most important thing out there."
The debate was over erosion, steep roads, intrusion on the Katy Trail, and, of course, parking --- there would be none allowed on the street.
Related: St. Charles Again Pushes Back Decision on New Bluffs Neighborhood
Attorney Brad Gross, representing NT Home Builders, was questioned by commissioners.
Goss described how the plan would have 20 percent fewer homes than originally planned, plus narrower roads, special gravel devices to prevent run-off, and a dark skies covenant.
"The dark skies covenant requires that any kind of light fixtures in the development ought to be downcast," Goss said.
He said the goal was to make the development as "rural" as possible.
In the graphic featured above, Goss said the green areas would be undisturbed while construction would take place in the white areas -- which are basically the roads and immediate vicinity.
The University of Missouri is selling the land. Neighbors and conservationists urged rejection of this deal, so there can be an open bid for a better use.
"If you have that many variances, why are you trying to put this here? It doesn't sound like it's a very good spot for it," one woman said. "If you have to make that many exceptions to the rule, I don't see how it's going to work."
After three hours of presentation and debate, the vote was 5-2 to reject the proposed layout.
The County Council can reverse the decision with a supermajority vote on August 12th.
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