Town of Banff

Phase Two Outreach

Phase Two of Our Land Use is reviewing our commercial land use regulations. Phase Two's strategic goals are based on guidance provided by the Banff Community Plan, the Indexperience Visitor Surveys, and strategic research such as the Build-Out Study.

Phase 2(a) - First Reading & Public Hearing (May 7 - 4 p.m.)  

At the March 26 regular meeting of Council, first reading was given to amending Bylaw 313. The proposed amendments impact several sections of the Land Use Bylaw relating to commercial land use districts. Changes including revised building heights and FAR in the downtown, and changes to regulations around housing, parking, home occupations, and bed and breakfasts. In conjunction with the Land Use Bylaw amendments, administration have recommended amending Council's Housing and Parking policies as well.

In accordance with the Municipal Government Act, a public hearing for Bylaw 313 has been scheduled for May 7 at 4 p.m.in Council Chamber (110 Bear Street). Anyone wishing to make a delegation may contact Kerry MacInnis at (403) 762-1215. Council will also be receiving feedback on the proposed changes to the Housing and Parking policies, all of which can be be downloaded here:
 

• Amending Bylaw 313 ( PDF - 629 kb)
• Consolidated Version of the proposed Land Use Bylaw ( PDF - 2.2 mb) 
• Proposed Housing Policy ( PDF - 43 kb)
• Proposed Parking Policy ( PDF - 36 kb)

Council has also directed administration to return with a report addressing the mix of formula and non-formula retail stores and restaurants in Banff. This is expected in conjunction with May, 2012.  
 

Land Use Bylaw Working Group

Council appointed a Working Group in September 2011 to examine proposed amendments to the Land Use Bylaw. Their final report was the product of hundreds of hours of dialogue and debate:

• Land Use Bylaw Working Group Final Report ( PDF - 828 kb)    

Click here to find out more about what issues the Working Group explored. 

Phase Two: Strategic Goals

Residents		Visitors		Growth Management
- Ensure economic prosperity for the long-term - Preserve local-serving commercial assets - Reduce barriers for new commercial operators - Click here for details...		- Increase visitation & spending metrics - Raise satisfaction levels of visitors - Click here for details...		- Stay flexible within the legislated growth cap - Address intensification of commercial floor space - Determine how to allocate remaining allotments - Click here for details...

Guiding Principles 

The Land Use Bylaw review is guided by many policies and other factors, including the federally approved Banff Community Plan which directs us to:

• “Promote opportunities to diversify tourism products, providing more balance and stability within the local economy”
  
• “Respond to the feedback, perceptions and recommendations of our visitors”
  
• “Commercial development will occur within the legislated commercial growth cap”
  
  
  

Other guiding policies and research include:

• Indexperience Surveys of our visitors commissioned jointly by Banff Lake Louise Tourism and the Town of Banff (Summer 2008 Results - PDF - 890 kb and Winter 2009 Results PDF - 790 kb)
• The Banff National Park Management Plan;
• Banff Commercial Build-Out Study (2007);( PDF - 1.2 mb); and,
• Banff Summit (A meeting of local business leaders held in late 2009).

In addition, feedback received from stakeholder groups in 2010 have helped inform changes to the original set of Phase Two proposals. These include changes to proposals addressing grocery store  "spot-zoning" and franchise fast-food establishments, as well as the inclusion of other regulatory options available to Council on a number of issues.