Missoula County Commissioners Intend to Adopt Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan

The plan aims to protect the rural character of the Swan Valley through zoning recommendations.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 7:31pm

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The Missoula County Board of Commissioners voted to intend to adopt the Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan, which was recommended by the Consolidated Planning Board after two years of community outreach. The plan includes zoning recommendations to limit commercial development and preserve the rural nature of the Swan Valley. However, some Condon residents have voiced concerns about the zoning proposals and the community engagement process.

Why it matters

The Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan is an important step in managing growth and development in the rural Swan Valley region. The plan aims to balance the interests of long-term residents who want to preserve the area's natural character with the needs of a growing population and potential commercial interests. The adoption of this plan could set the stage for future zoning decisions that impact the valley's future.

The details

The Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan was last updated in 1996 and has been largely unused since then. The current update process began with a subcommittee of the Swan Valley Community Council, which initially recommended the most restrictive zoning options to protect the valley's rural character. After pushback from the community, the council compromised on a plan that only targets zoning for commercial uses. The Consolidated Planning Board agreed with this approach and sent the plan to the Board of Commissioners for adoption. However, some Condon residents have raised concerns about the community engagement process and claim that zoning was not mentioned in previous iterations of the plan.

  • The Missoula County Board of Commissioners voted last Thursday to intend to adopt the Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan.
  • The potential adoption is set to take place on Feb. 12 at the Missoula County Courthouse Annex.
  • The Board of County Commissioners will continue to accept public comment on the matter through the Feb. 12 hearing date.

The players

Missoula County Board of Commissioners

The governing body of Missoula County, Montana, responsible for adopting the Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan.

Consolidated Planning Board

The planning board that recommended the Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan to the Board of Commissioners.

Swan Valley Community Council

The local community council that provided input and recommendations during the development of the Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan.

Ed Klassen

A Condon resident who expressed concerns about the zoning proposals and community engagement process during the public hearing.

Charles Perniciaro

A Condon resident who disputed the accuracy of the information presented to the commissioners regarding the zoning proposals.

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What they’re saying

“I was told they're not doing zoning for two years. The entire community said we are not doing zoning.”

— Ed Klassen, Condon resident

“I do want to inform you that some of the information you've been presented today, particularly regarding zoning, is not an accurate representation of what was agreed upon by our community council, including what was in the presentation regarding zoning. I was present at these meetings. It's in the minutes: alternatives one, two and three, did not include anything about zoning ordinances. Those alternatives were not for zoning.”

— Charles Perniciaro, Condon resident

“Since 1996 our structural density has increased markedly. Our water quality may have degraded. Our water quantity certainly has declined as well as have run dry. Our access to open spaces is under threat, and our dark night sky is being challenged by the Missoula County building department's approval of a 280-foot cell tower in the center of town with 24/7 flashing storm points. We fully understand the neighborhood advisory. That is why our Neighborhood Plan explicitly asked Missoula County to enact a zoning ordinance restricting commercial and industrial development that would violate the core values and express preferences of the community.”

— Jon Simon, Former chair of the community council's subcommittee

What’s next

The Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on February 12 to formally adopt the Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan, with the potential to make additional amendments to the plan.

The takeaway

The debate over the Swan Valley Neighborhood Plan highlights the ongoing tension between preserving the rural character of the region and managing growth and development. The adoption of this plan could set an important precedent for how Missoula County balances these competing interests in the future.