On July 25, 2018, Great Rivers Environmental Law Center filed suit in the St. Charles County Circuit Court on behalf of Weldon Woods, Inc., and a citizen of Weldon Spring, asking the Court to void the rezoning allowing a huge subdivision to be built on wooded bluffs overlooking the Missouri River.

Hundreds of people attended Planning and Zoning Commission meetings in opposition to this proposed development on land that was given to the University of Missouri. This property adjoins Weldon Spring Conservation Area, the Katy Trail and the Great Rivers Greenway Busch Greenway Trail. The site includes steep river bluff slopes, century-old trees and habitat for many species including the Indiana bat. For these reasons among others, the Planning and Zoning Commission overwhelmingly voted to deny a rezoning request, but the County Council approved a revised plan.

“The Planning and Zoning Commission rejected a subdivision on this property because it is the wrong place for a subdivision,” said Dan Burkhardt, a director of Weldon Woods. “No matter how many units there are, these wooded, steep slopes adjoining conservation areas should not become a subdivision.”

“This unique treasure should be preserved and made available to all residents to enjoy,” said Mark Kaiser, founder and director of Weldon Woods. “The overwhelming majority of the citizens are saying ‘no’ to this development, but the Council is not listening.”

“The County Council should have sent the new proposal back to the Planning and Zoning Commission for a hearing,” said Kathleen Henry, attorney at Great Rivers Environmental Law Center. “The Council violated the law by approving this when there had never been a public hearing on it.”

The citizens request the St. Charles County Circuit Court to declare the rezoning void.