Development Issues Dominate St. Charles County Election Races
Date Posted: April 10, 2025
Posted In: Discussion, Ideas, News,
From St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Four cities grappling with growth concerns in St. Charles County have new mayors.
Voters in Lake Saint Louis, Dardenne Prairie and Foristell picked new leaders for their cities after the current mayors opted to not run for reelection. Voters in Cottleville backed Stephen Thompson, a challenger with an aggressive anti-development agenda, over an incumbent mayor.
All four cities have battled developers over large housing proposals in recent years.
Thompson campaigned on a 20-point platform that includes calls for a six-month moratorium on new construction permits, the creation of a parks and recreation committee, and for the city to take a more active role in developing the Dardenne Creek Blueway project.
Thompson, who served as alderman in Cottleville from 2021-23, received 56% of the vote; Mayor Bob Ronkoski got 44%.
Thompson did not respond to interview requests Tuesday night.
Ronkoski drew the ire of residents after supporting the “Village at Twin Creeks,” a controversial subdivision approved despite being partially in the flood plain.
Cottleville, which is largely landlocked, has grown from 700 residents in 1990 to more than 6,000 people now.
Lake Saint Louis
In Lake Saint Louis, the race to replace Jason Law, who opted to run for St. Charles County Executive in 2026, featured two candidates: current Alderman Tom Mispagel and zoning Commissioner Brian McKinney.
Concerns over the city’s growth dominated the race here and was a common campaign theme for both candidates.