The meeting began with a public hearing on Land Use Bylaw Amendment 420 Cannabis and Cannabis related businesses definitions. The purpose is to separate cannabis-related land use from other uses and classifications in the Land Use Bylaw, in preparation for the new federal legislation. Several submissions were made. Council will consider second and third readings at their next meeting.
Council approved the name Kootenay Ridge for the lane by 137 Kootenay Avenue. Council agreed to extend the Banff Bench Program term for two years on contracts entered between 2004 and 2016.
Council received an update on waste diversion. Banff’s diversion rate has remained under 46% since 2012. While higher than other Alberta municipalities participating in the Alberta Benchmarking Initiative, it is below the top performing Canadian communities, such as Nanaimo, Vancouver and Guelph which achieve 68% to 63% waste diversion.
The waste characterization study showed that food waste and food-soiled paper are over half of the recycling stream, as well as the largest contributor to the waste stream in both the residential (35%) and non-residential (48%) sectors. Yard and garden materials and mixed paper in both sectors are the next biggest contributors of waste headed to the landfill. These three areas present the greatest opportunity for increased diversion and Council asked administration to return in second quarter with targets and tactics to increase diversion.
Council endorsed the priorities of the planning and development department as presented. Council received an update on the Bow Valley - Calgary Transit study now in its final draft. It’s anticipated the study will be complete and presented in April. The study looks at the feasibility of rail and bus transit from Calgary to the Bow Valley and how it might be operated.
Lastly, administration updated council on FireSmart public education program, which will be launched with a FireSmart Forum, April 23 at the Max Bell Building (Banff Centre) from 7 to 9 p.m. and feature keynote speakers, interactive sessions from Parks Canada and information on emergency management and evacuation and other related programs. It was also announced that the Town of Banff will receive the FireSmart Canada Community Achievement Award this spring for its FireSmart program, which began in 2003.
The next meeting of council is Monday, February 26 at 2 p.m. at Town Hall. Subscribe at
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