Planning Committee Hears Additional Comments

SWAN VALLEY - Swan Valley residents commented on the Swan Valley Regional Plan (SVRP) draft at the Swan Valley Regional Plan Committee (SVRPC) meeting March 9. Deadline for comments from residents was March 16.

Several of the nearly 20 residents present at the meeting asked questions and voiced their opinions on the plan draft to the SVRPC.

Questions asked are in bold. Responses from the SVRPC follow the question.

What is a rough percentage of the community that gave input [during the envisioning process]? Out of 650 residents, 183 answered the four questions about what the resident valued in the Swan Valley. The questionnaire was presented in neighborhood meetings, organizations in the valley and a town hall meeting. Less than one third of the population responded.

Is that an appropriate amount? We were told by Missoula County Community and Planning Services (CAPS), our advisor, that we have done all we could. We let people know by posters, phone calls, emails and postcards about the meetings.

Was Bob Horne [professional planner who was hired first by resident Harry Blazer then by Missoula County to help finish the plan draft] paid for his services in full? He was paid until Dec. 31, 2015. He then volunteered to help complete the plan draft. Now with help from volunteer professional editors and the comments the SVRPC will revise the plan.

What is the plan for? What is the purpose of the plan? SVRPC Chair Moseley answered in an email to the Pathfinder: “These lower level plans are a way for a neighborhood to make their wishes known on how they would like growth to be handled in their neighborhood. As best I understand [it]. Then by Montana law when someone in the future wants to develop something in the neighborhood area, the county planning and commissioners must consider the wishes stated in the neighborhood plan IF it has been adopted by the county.”

How does the SVRP fit in with the Missoula County Plan that is in the process of being adopted now? Moseley read from chapter four of the Missoula County Growth Plan draft: The SVRP is regarded as an area plan, a certain geographical plan within the county. It is more specific than county wide growth policy. It looks at land use and other community issues at a closer distance with a sharper focus. It is adopted under the county’s authority and must be consistent with the county’s growth policy. Actions need to be implementable in such areas as housing and character of the area.

Moseley said, “[It answers] what are the tools we need to keep it as we have envisioned for the future? [The plan] is not pro or anti-growth. It is if growth happens, this is how we want to handle it.”

What are the boundaries to the area plan? From the Summit to the Lake County line.

Do I have a say since I live in Lake County? Whoever is concerned can comment, we live in the same watershed. It will affect everyone regardless of the artificial line.

Can I get comments from neighbors who did not attend meetings? Yes residents can write out comments and sign them and get them in to the SVRPC before March 16.

Some of the residents voiced their objections to the plan.

Resident Chantel Thornsberry said she did not like the recommendation to limit the noise and light pollution in the valley. She said, “It seems you are targeting recreational equipment and chain saws. I don’t want to be told what I can or cannot do on my property.” Thornberry wanted it taken out of the plan.

Thornsberry added that with less than 200 responding, the committee is not reaching everyone. “You are not representing the majority.” she said.

Swan Valley Community Council (SVCC) member Marcia Tapp said that the plan doesn’t reflect the younger residents’ views and values. “I don’t think it is too late [for them to be heard],” said Tapp.

In response to a remark from Thornsberry that the committee could do whatever they wanted with the comments, Moseley said they had the help of professional planners and they made sure the plan was true to the comments. Committee member Diann Ericson and SVRPC and SVCC minute recorder Loretta Thomas agreed that the committee worked long and hard to capture all the input from the community.

“They worked out the wording together,” said Thomas.

“It took 30 minutes one time to get the wording just right in one paragraph.” said Ericson.

Blazer said, “We need to take a stand. The U.S. Constitution is based on property rights. We can say we don’t want [the county’s] subdivision rules to apply to us.”

Moseley responded that no one in the comments said anything about private property rights.

Resident Rick Ferguson said that there has to be limits to property rights. With no guidelines residents can pollute the air, the water and infringe on other people’s rights.

Dwayne Forder said that he would have to buy his property rights back from the county for nearly $80,000 in permits before he is allowed to subdivide.

Thomas and Tapp agreed that the plan has to be completed. Thomas said to mention in the plan that some residents are dissatisfied with their lack of property rights.

Thomas added that the SVCC could form a committee separate from the planning committee to make a stand in the property rights area.

“Government is important but I don’t want it micro managing my life.” said Tapp.

SVCC chair Ken Donovan and Tapp agreed that is was worth pursuing. “We need the government to respond to the people not always the people responding to the government.” said Tapp. “We need to send a statement from this community.”

According to Moseley, all comments the committee received are available to read online. The SVRPC will begin to review and organize the comments on March 23 at 7 p.m. and then in following meetings revise the draft in accordance with the consensus of the comments from Swan Valley residents. Monthly meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month at 4 p.m.

Moseley said when the plan gains acceptance from the SVCC and goes on for approval from the Community and Planning Services (CAPS), to the Missoula County Planning Board and finally to the Missoula County Board of Commissioners public hearings will be held.

“We have several months ahead of us of an intense process “It is very important to attend those hearings.” said Moseley. She said that residents need to be at the meetings so these agencies are aware of what residents do and don’t want changed in the plan. She added that it is likely the hearings with CAPS and the Planning Board will be heard in the Swan Valley.

To view the plan draft visit: http://www.tinyurl.com/svplanupdate

To view and download background documents such as the neighborhood meetings and envisioning statements, visit http://www.swanplan.org