Columbia Falls approved a controversial rezoning for a greenhouse on Monday after requiring a tree buffer to reduce noise.

David Conner, owner of Columbia Nursery and Landscape, requested that the southern portion of one acre of his property be rezoned from Residential R3 to Commercial B2. A greenhouse was built on the residential portion of the property last year.

The land is located south of U.S. 2 at 2544 Ninth St. W. and is part of 5.6 acres.

Five people, including four neighbors, spoke in opposition to the rezone.

Planning consultant Bill Shaw said the city Planning Board recommended approval. Shaw said the land shouldn’t be combination zoning. He noted that land to the north and east of the property is zoned commercial.

Shaw wasn’t sure why the land originally had split zoning. Half of the one acre in question, Lot 9E, was residential and half commercial. The city found out about this just three years ago, Shaw said.

Conner said his grandfather homesteaded the land. Conner purchased the lot in question in 2008 from Albert and Lana Luxford, Columbia Falls City Manager Susan Nicosia said. He built the greenhouse in 2010, adding it to four greenhouses that already existed on adjacent land. The nursery has been open since 1993.

James Pauli objected to the rezone, saying it would set a precedent and could lead to more greenhouses on the property.

Bill Marsh complained about dust and noise from traffic on a private road that separates most of the neighbors from the business. Conner said he has an easement to use the road and only does so twice a year for two to three hours a day. The road serves as driveway for a private home owned by the Luxfords southwest of the greenhouse.

The Luxfords did not object to the rezone and did not speak at Monday’s council meeting.

Denny Rea called the request a blatant disregard for the zoning that already was in place. “By changing this zoning, you hand this gentleman a loaded gun,” he said. Conner or subsequent owners could put a steel manufacturing plant or log yard there, Rea said.

Cheryl and Peter Hohman objected to the noise generated by greenhouse fans that blow air toward their house. Cheryl Hohman said their property value is negatively affected by the noise, and fear Conner would build more greenhouses on the property if it is rezoned.

Per Shaw’s direction, Conner purchased a hand-held decibel meter and measured the noise level on the property at five locations. He cited readings that ranged from 57 to 68 decibels. Conner said the acceptable limit was 65.

Cheryl Hohman replied that hand-held decibel meters are not very accurate. The measurements should have been done and signed by an engineer, she said.

Conner said he couldn’t find a business in Flathead County that measures decibels.

Council member Doug Karper recommended that Conner add spruce trees as a barrier between the greenhouse and the Hohmans’ home. The council agreed and required the trees to be planted by Oct. 15, along with a professional decibel test that shows the noise doesn’t exceed 65 decibels, presumably at the property line.

Conner said he could find trees hardy enough to withstand the wind but couldn’t do so until the fall. The nursery opens in the spring, and he needs money from sales made through the summer to pay for the trees that will be used as a buffer.

The rezoning was approved 5-1 with Mayor Don Barnhart dissenting.

Nicosia said Conner’s land is not in the city but the city has jurisdiction because it’s located within one mile of city limits.

Reporter Caleb Soptelean may be reached at 758-4483 or by email at csoptelean@dailyinterlake.com.