News Releases

A public hearing on Bylaw 389 – a Land Use Bylaw amending bylaw on 2018 development fees – was held at the start of the meeting. No verbal feedback or written submissions were received. Council will consider second and third reading of the bylaw at a later meeting. The Town of Banff Financial Plan requires that fees and charges be reviewed annually as part of the budget process. The proposed amendments to the 2018 development fee schedule are intended to have equitable fees and cost recovery for all development review services.

Council approved an application to exempt roll 000045 from all property taxes under the provincial Community Organization Property Tax Exemption regulation and the Municipal Government Act. Properties that can qualify for this must have a charitable or benevolent purpose for which the property is primarily used and must be one that benefits the general public. The application document was submitted in confidence to council, and council reviewed it in camera. In 2017, the property was assessed at $382,100. The annual municipal impact would be approximately $1,300. This amount will be reallocated across the residential tax base.

Council received an economic impact update from September. Accommodation sector information is provided by Banff & Lake Louise Tourism. Economic impact calculations are from the modeling tool created by Econometric Research Limited as part of the 2016 Banff, Jasper and Canmore Tourism Economic Impact Study.

Council received an update on the status of the outdoor rink at the high school field. The rink needs a base of snow prior to being flooded, and requires at least 6cm of ice for skating. There hasn’t been enough snow yet to begin building the rink.

The next council meeting is January 8.