Town council is looking for more public feedback on a draft Outdoor Merchandise Displays policy. Council reviewed the draft document on Monday, November 25 as well as comments from visitors and businesses on the outdoor displays pilot project held in the summer of 2013. Council is now seeking a broader public review of the document. They voted to have administration post the draft policy on the website http://www.banff.ca/outdoordisplay so it could be reviewed by the public for comment. The policy, along with public feedback, will return to council in January 2014.
Council gave three readings to the Banff Library Board Bylaw 67-2, which will now allow the library board to consist of up to 10 members appointed by council. The change was first brought up at council’s October 28 Annual Organizational Meeting on behalf of the library board who had requested the amendment.
Council voted to revise the scope and intent of the alternative transportation incentive referred to in Section 8.16.1 of the Land Use Bylaw and provide an expanded list of criteria to allow for a reduction in the amount of minimum required off-street parking for apartment housing.
Council accepted $16,600 in grant funding acquired by Banff Lake Louise Tourism through the Community Initiatives Program to help with the costs of warming shelters and animation around the downtown skating rink. In December 2012, council approved $35,000 in funding for the design and construction of outdoor warming shelters at the rink. With the grant money secured, there’s the opportunity to spend the surplus shelter project funding on additional outdoor rink animation.
Council voted to have the town participate in an application from competitive tourism communities for a regional collaboration grant. The Town of Jasper will submit the application. The Town of Canmore is also part of the project.