Town of Banff

Effective Land Use

Land use in Banff is governed by the Land Use Bylaw.  The Land Use Bylaw is one of the most Council has to help ensure Banff will continue to prosper.

A large-scale review of the bylaw is underway.  Phase 1 of the review, which dealt with residential land use, was completed in 2010. Last year we saw progress on Phase 2, commercial development.

This year, Council will complete Phase 2 of the review and start work on Phase 3. Phase 3 includes:

• institutional land use
• public service districts
  
• general development and specific use regulations
  

Community Plan Goals

• To remain competitive with other international destinations
• To ensure commercial development reflects Banff's role in a national park.

Actions

• Complete an updated inventory of commercial space.
• Draft a revised bylaw with substantial public input.

Progress Update

• On July 18, 2011 Council looked at 26 separate recommendations for changes to the Land Use Bylaw related to commercial development, signs, bed & breakfast regulations, and home occupations.  Staff will return to Council in early 2012 with regulatory language around many of the recommendations.
  

• On November 28, 2011, the Land Use Bylaw review working group submitted their final report to council. Results were as follows:
  
• The group felt it is highly unlikely it will ever be necessary to regular the preservation of grocery and gas stations.
  
• There are two distinct schools of thought about regulating formula business. One group feels regulation is inappropriate and unnecessary, while the other feels regulation is warranted.
  
• Housing and parking fees are seen as significant barriers to re-investment and do not favour small, local, non-formula businesses.
  

• Land Use Bylaw Working Group
  

• The Commercial Floor Space Administration System will provide comprehensive information about commercial floor space in Banff.  Phase 1, digitization of building plans, is complete. Phase 2, which involves converting the digital files to a format that can be used by our GIS system, is underway.  With two phases still to complete, the project is currently on time and on budget.

• For more information, see item 8.3 in the June 27 council agenda package.

Links for more information

• Land Use Bylaw Review
• Growth Management