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Libby council approves resolution of intent to annex parcel east of city
Summary
The Libby City Council approved Resolution 2042, declaring intent to annex a parcel owned by Sarah and Eric Clark into the city limits and designating city zoning for the parcel; the council recorded one member in opposition and did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting transcript.
The Libby City Council voted to approve Resolution 2042, a resolution of intent to annex a parcel east of Libby owned by Sarah and Eric Clark, after a public hearing and brief council discussion.
City staff introduced the petition, which was filed June 10, 2024. Staff explained the annexation would proceed under the statutory “annexation by services” method (Title 7, ch. 2, part 47 §4705, MCA) and noted that the zoning commission on Sept. 16, 2024 recommended city zoning of a business-residential designation for the parcel. The council review emphasized statutory notice requirements and the owners’ petition submitted to the city clerk.
Council members asked procedural and code-related questions before the vote, including whether the building on the parcel had been constructed to city codes. Staff said the building was inspected under state commercial codes while outside the city limits and that it meets state commercial-building standards. Staff clarified that, under the city’s interpretation, a combination of two of four services (water, sewer, street connectivity or stormwater) is required for annexation under the services method.
During public comment a resident raised concerns about conflicts of interest, arguing that council members with ties to KRDC and the Port Authority might have influenced prior committee decisions and warning that Port Authority development could strain city sewer capacity. The resident’s allegation was recorded in the public-comment period but the council proceeded to a vote.
A council member moved to approve Resolution 2042 and the motion was seconded. The mayor announced the motion carried; the meeting transcript records one council member opposing the resolution but does not include a full roll-call tally in the audio transcript provided.
Next steps announced by the mayor include proceeding to subsequent annexation steps (formal annexation procedures and zoning readings). The council did not adopt final annexation ordinances at this meeting; the resolution approved is a declaration of intent and a procedural step toward potential annexation.
Authorities and clarifications in the record include the statutory citation read into the record and the clerk’s publication of the hearing notices on Oct. 4 and Oct. 15. The council packet identified Sarah Clark and Eric Clark as the property owners who petitioned the city.
