A local developer had his request approved for two zoning changes at the Flower Creek Development in Libby.

One of the two required a re-do after city officials realized a required public hearing was not held before councilors approved it at a June 3 meeting.

Chris Noble, doing business as Ohno, LLC, sought a change in March in the zoning on Parcel B, a 4.28 acre chunk of land at the former Asa Wood property in what is now known as the Flower Creek Development. The parcel was previously zoned Residential A and Noble sought a Residential Business designation.

According to a letter, dated July 21, from city administrator Sam Sikes the city code requires a public hearing be held before making a decision.

“In consultation with the city attorney (Dean Chisholm), it was decided that the best practice would be to hold a public hearing and once again vote on the property,” Sikes wrote.

The hearings for Parcel B and Parcel A1 were advertised in the July 17 edition of The Western News and both were held during the Aug. 3 city council meeting.

The other zoning decision included changing Parcel A1 from Residential A to Highway Commercial. 

While the Parcel B request showed concern over the speculative nature and no overall development plan, the latest request generated a great deal of discussion among members of the Planning and Zoning Commission, city council and members of the public.

The zoning commission voted against Noble’s request, 4-2. Their reasons included traffic and safety issues, no zoning designation that fits the property and what type of business or businesses that may be located there.

But city Planning Board member Gail Burger said traffic issues are law enforcement related.

“And I’ve got concerns with zoning telling a property owner what to do,” Burger added.

Katie Scharen, who lives on Idaho Avenue, said she was concerned that a casino may be located on the property, but she also agreed with Burger’s thoughts.

Dr. Roberta McCanse, a Planning Board member, recommended a pause.

“There is no zoning that fits and we’d like to examine it more,” she said. “There are traffic concerns, the bridge (over Flower Creek on West Sixth St.) is not legal.”

City Planning Board Chair Kristin Zimmerman spoke of the key location of the property.

“It’s a unique property in the center of town and due consideration is necessary due to the impact it (zoning change) could have,” Smith said. “I don’t know how the city is responsible for helping a business market the property.”

Smith also spoke about the concern the property wouldn’t include some type of housing.

When the Libby School District agreed to sell the school in September 2021 to California-based Compass Health Inc. for $730,000, Compass Health executives presented plans to build a 35- to 45-unit assisted living facility on the property or develop the lot into commercial and mix-use buildings and homes with sections for senior and low-income housing.

Darren Smith, CEO and owner of Compass Health, previously said, “Our motivation is not financial but rather to have an opportunity to enjoy a project outside of our home state of California.” 

Noble’s Ohno LLC acquired the property Dec. 26, 2025, in a quit claim deed transaction to Noble Industries.

“We had an agreement with the former owner in March 2024 and I just recently bought it,” Noble said. “This has been in the works for some time.”

Former city councilor DC Orr said city officials needed to pin down what the developer is planning for the property.

Evensen Engineering & Consulting’s Andy Evensen said a Highway Commercial designation is the best way to create more higher paying jobs in the community.

“There are buffers on Nevada and Idaho avenues as well as Flower Creek,” Evensen said.

Planning Board member Jennifer Nelson said she hoped councilors would consider the concerns of the zoning commission.

“Some of my concerns are that the Sixth Street Bridge (county owned) is unsafe and the congestion during the day when school is in session,” Nelson said.

Maps indicate Nevada Avenue will be extended into the property between Parcel A1 and Parcel B.

The former Asa Wood School was recently demolished and equipment operators continue work to make the ground suitable for development.

Noble Investment Properties’ Tina Oliphant was present at the Zoning Commission’s June 22 meeting to answer questions.

“The Residential Business zoning allows the property to be considered for uses such as multi housing, commercial office space and other compatible neighborhood-scale development,” Oliphant said. “

“Work on the property has been underway for some time as it moves from undeveloped land to a site ready for build out. Over the past approximately 24 months, design, engineering, permitting and early development activity has been moving forward. Ortho Rehab was the first new development on the property, and work is now underway on new road access connecting to Nevada Avenue, along with construction of city utilities.”

Oliphant previously said there is no timeframe for the build-out on the property.

“At this time, we do not have a specific date for full build-out,” Oliphant said. “Our next phase will focus on preparing the site for future users and marketing available opportunities for their own development plans.”

Sikes explained the time line of the process.

“In 2020, the city adopted a new Highway Commercial District to accommodate business opportunities that tend to be more auto oriented and in 2024, the city altered the zoning code to ensure Residential Business District designations were in place to create a buffer between fully commercial and fully residential district,” Sikes wrote.

He also pointed out the city’s adoption in 2023 of a growth policy that, “supports and participates in economic and community development efforts to build and maintain a strong, diverse economy through new and expanded business opportunities.”

The school, built in 1953, closed in June 2011 due to a massive budget shortfall of $700,000. 

The school district received a $388,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Program in 2021 to clean up toxic buildings materials on the property, which included asbestos, thermostats which contained mercury and lead-based paint on the inside of the building.