Swan Valley Planning Committee

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The Swan Valley Planning Committee, a subcommittee of the Swan Valley Community Council, is pleased to share this public draft of the Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan, which outlines a vision for the future growth, development, infrastructure and services of our community. This plan is a vital tool for maintaining the rural character, protecting natural resources, and ensuring that infrastructure and services can support our long-term objectives.

You can view a draft of the plan here.

Your input is essential to shaping a plan that reflects the values and priorities of residents. To review the draft and provide comments, please visit the project website:

https://missoulacountyvoice.com/swan-valley-planning-committee or submit feedback via email to swanvalleycommunitycouncil@gmail.com by August 31st, 2025.

The draft neighborhood plan will be updated based on public feedback in September. After September, the plan is anticipated to begin the adoption process. During that process, plan will be reviewed and voted on by the Swan Valley Community Council, the Missoula Consolidated Planning Board and ultimately, the Board of County Commissioners.


Follow this page to stay up-to-date on the Swan Valley Planning Committee, and let the Swan Valley Planning Committee know your thoughts or questions on various planning topics discussed at their meetings.

Planning Committee Members: Helene Michael, Luke Lamar, Grace Siloti, Gary Lazarowski, Joan McGuire, Marcia Tapp (non-voting member), Tom Parker, Jon Simon, Christian Spilker, Len Kobylenski, Christine Straube (non-voting member), Bill Lombardi, Jenny Rorher (non-voting member and note taker).

The Swan Valley Planning Committee is a sub-committee of the Swan Valley Community Council tasked with exploring ideas, opportunities, and applications for land use planning tools that could be developed to address residents’ concerns around growth in the Swan Valley.

Members of the Planning Committee were appointed by the Swan Valley Community Council on Nov. 21, 2023. They were directed to explore land use issues the community is most concerned about, and what planning tools might best address those issues. The Planning Committee determined to pursue updating the 1996 Swan Valley Neighborhood plan, which was approved by the Swan Valley Community Council.

This webpage is a place for the community to track the activities of the Planning Committee, find resources, such as the 1996 Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan, and keep track of meeting times and dates. Planning Committee meetings are open to the public and are held at the Swan Valley Community Center. Find the agenda, meeting times, and dates for the Swan Valley Planning Committee meetings under the "key dates" widget on the right-hand side. When the Planning Committee is seeking engagement, comments made on this website will be forwarded to the Planning Committee.

The Planning Committee is currently working on updating the 1996 Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan. The meetings are attended by Missoula County Planning, Development and Sustainability planners who provide the community with technical assistance.

The Planning Committee is holding an additional meeting each month. This meeting is online only from 5-7 pm. The public can join via Microsoft Teams using the link below. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Online meeting dates: January 27th, March 3rd, March 31st, April 7th.

Meetings are held on the third Monday of the month from 5-7 pm at the Swan Valley Community Center unless otherwise posted. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

The public can also join the meetings using the Microsoft Teams link either by phone or on the computer:

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 270 993 601 168

Passcode: B2byax

Dial in by phone

+1 406-272-4824,,402442295# United States, Billings

(406) 272-4824,,402442295# United States (Toll-free)

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 402 442 295#

Join on a video conferencing device

Tenant key: 623215837@t.plcm.vc

Video ID: 117 733 824 7

More info

For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN



The Swan Valley Planning Committee, a subcommittee of the Swan Valley Community Council, is pleased to share this public draft of the Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan, which outlines a vision for the future growth, development, infrastructure and services of our community. This plan is a vital tool for maintaining the rural character, protecting natural resources, and ensuring that infrastructure and services can support our long-term objectives.

You can view a draft of the plan here.

Your input is essential to shaping a plan that reflects the values and priorities of residents. To review the draft and provide comments, please visit the project website:

https://missoulacountyvoice.com/swan-valley-planning-committee or submit feedback via email to swanvalleycommunitycouncil@gmail.com by August 31st, 2025.

The draft neighborhood plan will be updated based on public feedback in September. After September, the plan is anticipated to begin the adoption process. During that process, plan will be reviewed and voted on by the Swan Valley Community Council, the Missoula Consolidated Planning Board and ultimately, the Board of County Commissioners.


Follow this page to stay up-to-date on the Swan Valley Planning Committee, and let the Swan Valley Planning Committee know your thoughts or questions on various planning topics discussed at their meetings.

Planning Committee Members: Helene Michael, Luke Lamar, Grace Siloti, Gary Lazarowski, Joan McGuire, Marcia Tapp (non-voting member), Tom Parker, Jon Simon, Christian Spilker, Len Kobylenski, Christine Straube (non-voting member), Bill Lombardi, Jenny Rorher (non-voting member and note taker).

The Swan Valley Planning Committee is a sub-committee of the Swan Valley Community Council tasked with exploring ideas, opportunities, and applications for land use planning tools that could be developed to address residents’ concerns around growth in the Swan Valley.

Members of the Planning Committee were appointed by the Swan Valley Community Council on Nov. 21, 2023. They were directed to explore land use issues the community is most concerned about, and what planning tools might best address those issues. The Planning Committee determined to pursue updating the 1996 Swan Valley Neighborhood plan, which was approved by the Swan Valley Community Council.

This webpage is a place for the community to track the activities of the Planning Committee, find resources, such as the 1996 Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan, and keep track of meeting times and dates. Planning Committee meetings are open to the public and are held at the Swan Valley Community Center. Find the agenda, meeting times, and dates for the Swan Valley Planning Committee meetings under the "key dates" widget on the right-hand side. When the Planning Committee is seeking engagement, comments made on this website will be forwarded to the Planning Committee.

The Planning Committee is currently working on updating the 1996 Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan. The meetings are attended by Missoula County Planning, Development and Sustainability planners who provide the community with technical assistance.

The Planning Committee is holding an additional meeting each month. This meeting is online only from 5-7 pm. The public can join via Microsoft Teams using the link below. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

Online meeting dates: January 27th, March 3rd, March 31st, April 7th.

Meetings are held on the third Monday of the month from 5-7 pm at the Swan Valley Community Center unless otherwise posted. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend.

The public can also join the meetings using the Microsoft Teams link either by phone or on the computer:

Microsoft Teams Need help?

Join the meeting now

Meeting ID: 270 993 601 168

Passcode: B2byax

Dial in by phone

+1 406-272-4824,,402442295# United States, Billings

(406) 272-4824,,402442295# United States (Toll-free)

Find a local number

Phone conference ID: 402 442 295#

Join on a video conferencing device

Tenant key: 623215837@t.plcm.vc

Video ID: 117 733 824 7

More info

For organizers: Meeting options | Reset dial-in PIN

Have a question about what the Swan Valley Planning Committee is working on? Ask us!

We will try to respond within five business days.

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  • Share To clarify the land use question, if adopted with density of 1 dwelling unit per 10 acres, a 19 acre property with a "grandfathered" house would need to comply with the density of 1 dwelling per 10 acres to build another house. Is that correct? What if you have 9 acres but no house to be "grandfathered" in at the time of adoption, can you later still build a house? on Facebook Share To clarify the land use question, if adopted with density of 1 dwelling unit per 10 acres, a 19 acre property with a "grandfathered" house would need to comply with the density of 1 dwelling per 10 acres to build another house. Is that correct? What if you have 9 acres but no house to be "grandfathered" in at the time of adoption, can you later still build a house? on Twitter Share To clarify the land use question, if adopted with density of 1 dwelling unit per 10 acres, a 19 acre property with a "grandfathered" house would need to comply with the density of 1 dwelling per 10 acres to build another house. Is that correct? What if you have 9 acres but no house to be "grandfathered" in at the time of adoption, can you later still build a house? on Linkedin Email To clarify the land use question, if adopted with density of 1 dwelling unit per 10 acres, a 19 acre property with a "grandfathered" house would need to comply with the density of 1 dwelling per 10 acres to build another house. Is that correct? What if you have 9 acres but no house to be "grandfathered" in at the time of adoption, can you later still build a house? link

    To clarify the land use question, if adopted with density of 1 dwelling unit per 10 acres, a 19 acre property with a "grandfathered" house would need to comply with the density of 1 dwelling per 10 acres to build another house. Is that correct? What if you have 9 acres but no house to be "grandfathered" in at the time of adoption, can you later still build a house?

    CH asked 3 days ago

    When zoning regulations establishing density standards are adopted, all legally created lots in existence at the time of adoption are classified as legal nonconforming lots and are grandfathered in. Zoning regulations cannot render existing lots unbuildable. For instance, a legally created 9-acre parcel that predates the adoption of zoning remains eligible for development, regardless of whether it currently contains any structures. However, legal nonconforming status may not extend to all development rights—such as the ability to reconstruct a structure if it is substantially damaged or destroyed—depending on the specific provisions of the adopted zoning code.

  • Share How many well permits did Missoula County approve in the planning area in 2022? 2023? Septic permits in 2022? 2023? On average how long does it take to get approval for a well and septic? on Facebook Share How many well permits did Missoula County approve in the planning area in 2022? 2023? Septic permits in 2022? 2023? On average how long does it take to get approval for a well and septic? on Twitter Share How many well permits did Missoula County approve in the planning area in 2022? 2023? Septic permits in 2022? 2023? On average how long does it take to get approval for a well and septic? on Linkedin Email How many well permits did Missoula County approve in the planning area in 2022? 2023? Septic permits in 2022? 2023? On average how long does it take to get approval for a well and septic? link

    How many well permits did Missoula County approve in the planning area in 2022? 2023? Septic permits in 2022? 2023? On average how long does it take to get approval for a well and septic?

    CH asked 3 days ago

    This question would be best addressed by submitting a records request. You can submit a records request through the Missoula County records request portal: https://missoulacountymt.nextrequest.com/

  • Share According to the land use designation for rural low-density residential (1 dwelling per 10 acres) - If you own 19 acres, your current house is grandfathered in, but you will not be allowed any new construction, meaning no more building. Am I understanding that correctly? on Facebook Share According to the land use designation for rural low-density residential (1 dwelling per 10 acres) - If you own 19 acres, your current house is grandfathered in, but you will not be allowed any new construction, meaning no more building. Am I understanding that correctly? on Twitter Share According to the land use designation for rural low-density residential (1 dwelling per 10 acres) - If you own 19 acres, your current house is grandfathered in, but you will not be allowed any new construction, meaning no more building. Am I understanding that correctly? on Linkedin Email According to the land use designation for rural low-density residential (1 dwelling per 10 acres) - If you own 19 acres, your current house is grandfathered in, but you will not be allowed any new construction, meaning no more building. Am I understanding that correctly? link

    According to the land use designation for rural low-density residential (1 dwelling per 10 acres) - If you own 19 acres, your current house is grandfathered in, but you will not be allowed any new construction, meaning no more building. Am I understanding that correctly?

    CH asked 4 days ago

    The land use designations are adopted as part of the neighborhood plan and shown on the future land use map. These designations are not regulatory, but they provide policy guidance for land use decisions, development regulations, and infrastructure planning. Per state law, the land use designations cannot be used as the sole basis to deny land use decisions such as subdivision reviews or exemptions.

     If zoning regulations were adopted that set a density of 1 dwelling unit per 10 acres, and the density was applied to a 19-acre parcel, any new development, beyond any existing “grandfathered” structures on the parcel, would need to comply with that density. However, zoning regulations commonly include exceptions, such as broadly allowing the construction of new accessory structures such as barns and garages as well as one accessory dwelling unit that does not count toward the overall density. In fact, accessory dwelling units are allowed by right in county zoning according to state law as of October 1st, 2025.

     

Page last updated: 12 Jun 2025, 03:39 PM