The conservative free-market advocate known as the Show-Me Institute has sounded off this week on two development show-downs in the St. Louis area.

The research/educational institute pushes for free-market approaches to dealing with public policy issues. The object of its ire this week is the decisions by city leaders in Ellisville and Frontenac to impose moratoriums on development in parts of their communities.

In a blog post on its site headlined "We Need A Moratorium On Municipal Development Moratoriums," the institute questioned "Is this an appropriate use of municipal powers?" and answered its own question with, "No, it is not."

In Frontenac, according to our report on Patch, "The board of aldermen put a six-month moratorium on development activities while the comprehensive plan is updated for land use regulations."

City officials are concerned about moving too quickly on what limited property they have to redevelop at a key intersection at Lindbergh and Clayton roads.

Meanwhile, in Ellisville, officials are considering (and the planning commission has recommended) a similar moratorium on property development on land neighboring a planned Walmart at Manchester and Clarkson roads.

A resident spoke out against the plan, saying a moratorium would be "time wasted," when a developer could create jobs and provide sales tax.

How much control should cities have over what's built in town? Are you satisfied with the pace of commercial development in your community? Is it managed well? What is the appropriate role for government in managing commercial development?