Council to Consider Establishing a Heritage Master Plan
Council received a briefing on municipal heritage master plans as a way to protect properties with historic significance and commemorate local assets that reinforce Banff’s sense of place, while also contributing to the visitor experience. In coming weeks, Town of Banff is holding a series of meetings for council to examine all programs and services ahead of setting annual budgets. During this Service Review, council will consider a proposal for developing a heritage plan. This week’s briefing outlined a number of different options, strategies and priorities council could move ahead in the upcoming budget. A heritage plan and a range of components would be implemented over a number of years. The Town of Banff currently has 13 heritage properties protected by municipal bylaw. Currently, 143 properties of heritage value in Banff are without heritage protection. A heritage master plan is a strategy which establishes a vision, and provides strategies, tactics, tools and projects to leverage results. Council is scheduled to further review heritage master plan options on Wednesday, December 5. For more on the Service Review, visit
Banff.ca/servicereview.
Proposed Changes to Cemeteries Bylaw
Council directed administration to draft amendments to the Banff Cemeteries Bylaw to include new eligibility criteria and interment options for being buried in Banff. A new definition adds grandparents and grandchildren to be eligible as “immediate next of kin,” and council was in favour of changing the cumulative time a resident must live in Banff in order to be buried here to 15 years, reduced from 25 years. Council also reviewed interment criteria for a columbarium, which is similar to criteria for graves, and criteria for a new scattering garden and memorial wall. Both the garden and wall would be open to any person who wished to be interred in the Town of Banff. A draft bylaw with the amendments will return to council for final approval prior to any changes coming into effect.
Rebate Approved for Studded Bike Tires
Council allocated $5,000 from the Environmental Reserve to provide Banff residents with $50 rebates on the purchase of studded bike tires. To normalize the practice of riding on snow and ice, council approved the rebate to encourage Banffites to ride year-round. Banff will provide rebates of $50 per tire to a maximum of two tires or $100 per person. The post-purchase rebate program is established ahead of the Winter Cycling Congress, which will be held in Calgary in 2019. Town of Banff representatives will be speaking at the international congress, and will host a study tour day in Banff for 40 delegates in February.
Diverting Construction, Renovation and Demolition Waste
Council is looking at ways to improve the diversion of waste generated from construction, renovation and demolition in the Town of Banff. Over the last two years, 41% of the total waste generated in the townsite was construction, renovation and demolition waste. Out of 6,230 metric tonnes this sector produces each year, about 2,730 metric tonnes, or 44%, of material is diverted for recycling or reuse. Council directed administration to develop options to increase diversion of recyclable material from landfill in this sector, including creating a new policy, increasing enforcement, and enhancing educational campaigns to this sector. Administration will return in the third quarter of 2019 with a report outlining specific options and a potential timeline for increased construction, renovation and demolition waste diversion.