Posted on: November 21, 2023
Paintings given to Town of Banff
The Town of Banff was given two paintings by Elder Treffrey Deerfoot of the Blackfoot Confederacy and Chief Strater Crowfoot of the Siksika Nation.
The paintings, portraits of Chief Crowfoot (or Isapo-Muxika) and Chief Natow...
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Council Updates
Posted on: October 25, 2023
Town moves closer incentives for secondary rental suites
Incentives for homeowners to provide rental suites for residents moved closer this week, as part of the Town’s action plan to create more housing. The Governance & Finance Committee dir...
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Council Updates
Posted on: August 18, 2023
Wildlife Attractants in Banff
The Town of Banff is getting stricter with wildlife attractants in the townsite.
Council amended the Community Standards Bylaw to give more authority to administration to deal with wildlife attractants like fruit trees, garbage...
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Council Updates
Posted on: May 17, 2023
Halloween celebration return in 2023
Council approved funding for an evening Halloween bonfire, activities, and BBQ for this year. The last year the bonfire was held was in 2019. Since then, the Town has hosted a family-friendly event (Echoes of the Forest...
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Council Updates
Posted on: April 28, 2023
Overall residential property taxes increase 4.65% in 2023
Council approved the tax rate bylaw this week, which sets the overall amount of money collected from property owners in 2023.
Property taxes are collected to pay for all municipal services and progra...
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Council Updates
Posted on: April 13, 2023
Free transit examined for Access Program members between Canmore and Banff
Council has asked for a report on expanding the Banff Access Program to include free Roam transit connecting Canmore and Banff this summer.
This came after the Town success...
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Council Updates
Posted on: April 3, 2023
Council asks for alternatives to CP Rail crossing
The Town of Banff will work with Parks Canada and CP Rail to explore improvements to the route outside the town – a pedestrian/cyclist path down Banff Avenue and along Compound Road to connect the...
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Council Updates
Posted on: March 17, 2023
Boosted roof rebate fights wildfire
Banff homeowners will have a greater financial incentive to replace combustible roofs to protect their property – and the community – from wildfire.
Council increased funds to the Town’s Comb...
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Council Updates
Posted on: March 6, 2023
Accommodation sector loses $534 million over pandemic
Banff’s accommodation sector lost $534 million in revenue over the two-year COVID pandemic.
Council received a briefing on accommodation sector metrics, as one of the key indicators of the financial heal...
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Council Updates
Posted on: February 27, 2023
Bylaw to help reduce single-use items going to landfill or littering Banff
Banff Town Council passed a bylaw this week to bolster practices many businesses have voluntarily initiated, as part of a town-wide strategy to reduce the consumer use of items like...
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Council Updates
Posted on: December 14, 2022
No Smoking in Public Places
Starting in February 2023, smoking and vaping of tobacco and nicotine products will not be allowed in many public places in the Town of Banff.
Banff Town Council approved a new bylaw that improves alignment with their cannabis sm...
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Council Updates
Posted on: December 5, 2022
Bear Street Wins Big
The Bear Street reconstruction project has won four design awards from provincial and international agencies that recognize excellence in design.
Council heard from WSP Canada, consultant engineers on the project, about the accolades Be...
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Council Updates
Posted on: November 4, 2022
Banff to explore free parking for Indigenous people
At their October 24 meeting, Banff Town Council directed administration to examine the possibility of offering free parking to all Indigenous people in the pay parking areas of downtown Banff. Council sai...
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Council Updates
Posted on: October 17, 2022
Update on strategic initiatives
Council received an update on the status of the Banff Community Plan, Indigenous Relationships portfolio, and the Banff Railway Lands Area Redevelopment Plan.
The Banff Community Plan is a Municipal Deve...
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Council Updates
Posted on: September 29, 2022
2023 Pedestrian Zone to be reviewed
The Town of Banff will examine the Downtown Pedestrian Zone for 2023 during this year’s Service Review process, starting in November.
Last year during budget deliberations, council committed to the pedestrian zo...
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Council Updates
Posted on: September 14, 2022
Town proposes more smoke-free public placesBanff Town Council is considering revising a bylaw to make more public places smoke free. Although smoking or vaping cannabis is banned in all public places in Banff, tobacco smoking is currently allowed in many ...
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Council Updates
Posted on: August 15, 2022
Remembrance of Ethan Enns-Goneau
Council held a moment of silence in honour of Banff resident Ethan Enns-Goneau, who was killed at a downtown bar the morning of Friday, August 5. The Town Hall flag was also lowered to half-mast as a symbol of collective gr...
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Council Updates
Posted on: June 15, 2022
Council adopts Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
Banff Town Council adopted an interim Indigenous land acknowledgement to be spoken at the commencement of all Town of Banff council meetings, and included in council and committee agenda packages. Th...
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Council Updates
Posted on: June 8, 2022
Banff closes doors for environmental protection
Businesses in the Town of Banff will be keeping their doors closed in the winter to save energy and reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions produced in the community.
Some businesses tend to pr...
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Council Updates
Posted on: June 8, 2022
Council postpones toboggan hill development
Banff Town Council approved adjustments in the 2022 budget and plan for the Recreation Grounds Renewal Project, to address escalating costs of materials and transportation. The 2022 Recreation Grounds Capital Bud...
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Council Updates
Posted on: April 29, 2022
eBike rebate available for more Banff residents
More money has been added to the Town of Banff’s new program to financially support residents in their purchase of an eBike.
Council voted this week to allocate an additional $40,000 for this year&am...
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Council Updates
Posted on: April 18, 2022
Banff closer to banning business-created food scraps, recyclables going to landfill
Council passed two readings of a bylaw that would ban the business sector from placing food scraps and recyclable materials into garbage bins that go to landfill. The final...
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Council Updates
Posted on: March 31, 2022
Sports equipment rental businesses approved for hotels
Sports equipment rental businesses will now be permitted in hotels. Following the close of a public hearing, council voted to change the land use bylaw to allow sports equipment rentals in the CA: Comm...
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Council Updates
Posted on: March 16, 2022
Funding for another RCMP officer
Council voted to fund a new RCMP officer at the Banff detachment this July, and will consider funding an additional permanent position starting in 2023. Currently, 14 officers are municipally funded and two are funded by th...
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Council Updates
Posted on: March 2, 2022
Easier parking for residents 80+
Council is looking at ways to provide residents who are 80 years old and older with free parking in downtown Banff without having to use the app, online web portal or payment machine to log their licence plate. All register...
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Council Updates
Posted on: February 16, 2022
Tourism agency presents plan to rebuild visitation
Banff & Lake Louise Tourism presented to Council its 2022 business plan for supporting post-pandemic recovery. The focus of the plan includes marketing to rebuild awareness and immediate visi...
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Council Updates
Posted on: January 26, 2022
Indoor turf, fitness facility at The Fenlands
The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre will be getting a summer indoor turf field and a fitness room this year. Council approved the purchase of the turf and equipment for a cardio/free-weight room. This change w...
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Council Updates
Posted on: January 12, 2022
Financial support for more vaccine clinics
Council approved up to $20,000 for the Town of Banff to be able to host more vaccine clinics in the community. Following the success of the two clinics held Jan. 9 and 10 at Town Hall, which saw 430 people receive...
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Council Updates
Posted on: January 11, 2022
Banff’s town-wide speed limit will be reduced to 30km/h
Council voted to reduce speed limits to 30km/h on all roads in the town that covers an area less than 4 square kilometres. Many residential streets in town are 40km/h while school zones and ...
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Council Updates
Posted on: December 14, 2021
New Ice Skating Rink at the Train Station Lot
A new outdoor ice skating rink will be installed at the Train Station’s west parking lot this winter and ice could be ready by mid-January 2022. The ice surface will be almost the size of an NHL rink, but witho...
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Council Updates
Posted on: December 10, 2021
Speed limit could drop to 30 km/h town-wide
There’s a proposal to reduce the speed limit to 30km/h throughout the town of Banff. Banff Town Council gave first and second reading to Bylaw 16-9, the Road, Sidewalk and Trail Use Bylaw, which would replace the...
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Council Updates
Posted on: November 25, 2021
Council discusses options for pedestrian crossing over rail tracks
Banff Town Council reviewed issues around installing a pedestrian crossing at the railway tracks to provide a safe and legal route between the Industrial District and the residential area i...
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Council Updates
Posted on: November 10, 2021
Banff Downtown Pedestrian Zone proposed for 2022-24
Banff Town Council will consider a plan to close Banff Avenue to vehicles for the next three summers, to create a downtown pedestrian zone similar to the closures in 2020 and 2021. Council voted on Monday...
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Council Updates
Posted on: November 3, 2021
Council sets schedule and representation on boards and committees
Banff’s new Town Council met for their Annual Organizational Meeting on November 1, following the October 28 searing-in ceremony. This meeting is held to appoint the deputy and acting mayor ...
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Council Updates
Posted on: November 10, 2020
COVID-19 Update
The Banff/ID9 area has seven active cases of COVID-19 as of November 9. The community will move to a “watch status” at 10 active cases. If this occurs, Banff would be required to adopt the restrictions of 15 or fewer peo...
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Council Updates
Posted on: October 27, 2020
$6 million for COVID relief
The Town of Banff has received a $6 million grant to deal with the impacts of COVID-19.
The Municipal Operating Support Transfer (MOST) program, funded from the governments of Alberta and Canada, is designed to assist municipalit...
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Council Updates
Posted on: October 16, 2020
Survey shows support for Banff Pedestrian Zone
Visitors overwhelmingly supported the Banff Pedestrian Zone this summer, while most residents also supported it, but had some concerns. This feedback was the result of public opinion research on the Pedestrian...
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Council Updates
Posted on: September 23, 2020
Mask Bylaw Extended
The Temporary Mask Bylaw will continue inside publicly accessible buildings and outside on sidewalks in the downtown core. Council gave three readings to the bylaw to extend its use after the downtown pedestrian zone closed and Banff Av...
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Agenda Centre
Council Updates
Posted on: September 9, 2020
“Banff Sign” will remain at current location
The Town will look for opportunities to make improvements to public safety at the “Banff Sign” site on Norquay Road. Council reviewed options that included moving the sign...
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Agenda Centre
Council Updates
Posted on: March 11, 2020
St. Julien Road Reconstruction Project to start with public engagement
Council approved starting public engagement on the St. Julien Road Reconstruction Project. The project, which has been on the books since 2006, will include complete reconstruction of t...
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Agenda Centre
Council Updates
Posted on: February 25, 2020
Mineral Springs Hospital still a top medical centre
The Banff Mineral Springs Hospital Community Board updated Town council this week on the hospital’s programs, which have provided continuing service in the community since 1930. Renown...
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Council Updates
Posted on: February 11, 2020
Bison Back on the Banff Range
Halfway into a five-year pilot project to reintroduce bison to Banff National Park, the small roaming heard is showing promise for success.
Karsten Heuer, the Parks Canada manager of the bison reintroduction project,...
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Agenda Centre
Council Updates
Posted on: February 4, 2020
Municipal Taxes Increase Less than Inflation
Banff Town Council approved the 2020 capital and operating budgets, establishing the level of service and infrastructure projects for the year. While the rate of inflation is estimated at 2.3% for 2020, the muni...
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Agenda Centre
Council Updates
Posted on: November 27, 2019
Second dog park approved for Recreation Grounds
Council approved the creation of a second off-leash dog park in Banff in 2020, to be located in the Recreation Grounds. The 1-acre fenced park will be in an area currently occupied by a ball diamond...
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Council Updates
Posted on: November 13, 2019
Studded bike tire rebate approved for second year
Council committed $4,000 to bring back the studded bike tire rebate for a second year. The first year of the rebate was a great success, with all funds being used by residents to purchase studded tires for ...
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Council Updates
Posted on: October 31, 2019
Trial continues at west entrance; Council looks into feasibility of moving Banff sign
The Town of Banff will continue to trial traffic-calming measures at the west entrance to town while also studying the feasibility of relocating the Banff sign. This summ...
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Council Updates
Posted on: October 16, 2019
New Farmers’ Market Operator Selection Criteria
The farmers’ market will continue to operate as a special event in town, and a market manager will be hired based on a merit rating system if there is more than one applicant. Last year, f...
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Council Updates
Posted on: October 7, 2019
Live streaming of council meetings
On September 23, the Town of Banff began live streaming video and audio of Council meetings to provide local residents and businesses greater opportunities to learn about the decisions that affect them. The meetings will ...
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Council Updates
Posted on: September 11, 2019
Town Takes Next Step with Affordable Housing Project
Council approved moving forward with pre-design work for a new affordable housing development at 338/340 Banff Avenue. Council committed $180,000 for geotechnical investigation, a traffic study, site sur...
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Agenda Centre
Council Updates
Posted on: August 14, 2019
Town seeks input on communications plan for Bear Street reconstructionBear Street businesses and residents will be asked for input on communications and marketing to promote the street during redevelopment. The 200 block of Bear Street is scheduled to und...
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Council Agendas
Council Updates
Posted on: July 16, 2019
Town to build price-restricted housing on Banff Ave.
Banff’s next affordable housing development will be a price-restricted home ownership project on Banff Avenue. Council directed administration to prepare a detailed scope of work report on the ...
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Council Updates
Posted on: June 25, 2019
The Bear Minimum asks for a Banff ban on plastic bags The Bear Minimum, a local environmental advocacy group, asked Town Council to support their call for a ban on plastic bags. Emma Murrell-Orgill, speaking on behalf of the group, asked for the ...
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Council Updates
Posted on: June 21, 2019
Banff to examine Comprehensive Parking Management Plan
Council received a presentation on a Comprehensive Parking Management Plan that aims to reduce parking pressures on residential neighbourhoods, keep residential parking for residents, and fre...
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Council Updates
Posted on: May 15, 2019
Mock emergency exercise successful
Following the town-wide mock wildfire emergency exercise last week, Banff Fire Chief Silvio Adamo briefed council on the successful training and public engagement. The May 8 exercise brought together 150 staff from the To...
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Council Updates
Posted on: April 25, 2019
Bear Street Shared Street project revisedMore parking and seasonal changes were added to the Bear Street Shared Street design based on feedback from the public. Council approved several changes to the project following a review of the input received at th...
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Council Updates
Posted on: April 11, 2019
Four-Year Strategic Plan AdoptedCouncil adopted the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan as a guide for the municipality over the next four years. The plan identifies five priority areas that require more attention, expertise, research, strategic development, staff o...
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Council Updates
Posted on: March 27, 2019
Liricon Capital Proposes Train Station DevelopmentLiricon Capital presented Town council with a proposed development of land around the Banff Train Station to add a 2,000 stall visitor parking lot on the north side of the train tracks and develop a gondo...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: March 12, 2019
Property AssessmentsThe Town of Banff’s property assessor, Frank Watson, told council that the total assessed value of all residential properties in Banff increased by 13% last year in his annual report to council. For non-residential propertie...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: February 26, 2019
Best Bar None Comes to BanffAn accreditation program that recognizes excellence in the hospitality/liquor licence trade is coming to Banff. Best Bar None officially launches February 26 in the community. Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC) program...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: February 12, 2019
Greenhouse Society Secures FundingThe Banff Greenhouse Gardening Society informed council they have secured a $45,000 grant from the provincial Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP) for a third greenhouse, and that they will be returning the majo...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: January 30, 2019
Environmental Master Plan AdoptedCouncil adopted a long-term Environmental Master Plan to guide future planning and Town operations, and to set community goals for preserving and protecting the environment. Banff has demonstrated environmental leadership...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: January 16, 2019
Bed & Breakfast regulations under reviewTown Council will seek public input on potential changes to the Land Use Bylaw that governs how Bed and Breakfast homes and inns operate in the Town of Banff. The Land Use Bylaw section dealing with Bed and Bre...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: January 16, 2019
Animal Service Bylaw changesAdministration brought to Council proposed changes to the Animal Services Bylaw to update information and provide more clarity about Banff’s bylaw officers’ ability to intervene when domestic animals are at...Read on...
Council Agendas
Council Updates
Posted on: December 12, 2018
Fees and Charges set for 2019Council approved Bylaw 388-1, the Fees and Charges Bylaw, that sets rates the Town will charge for a number of services in 2019. Council had reviewed the details of the charges at the November 26 Governance and Finance Commit...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: November 27, 2018
Council to Consider Establishing a Heritage Master PlanCouncil 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, ...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: November 15, 2018
Utility Surcharge for Out-of-Town UsersCouncil voted to continue the practice of charging a utility surcharge of 25% to users outside the town’s boundaries. The ‘out-of-town’ surcharge has been in place since 1997, and refle...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: October 25, 2018
Cannabis Business License Fees Cannabis retail stores will be charged business license fees that mirror licence fees of similar complexity and scope. Council approved aligning the license fees based on similar categories instead of a larger, cost recover...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: September 26, 2018
BanffPRIDE DelegationCouncil was invited to upcoming BanffPRIDE Week celebrations that will be held in town October 9-13. This is the first year the local organization is hosting week-long activities, including a rainbow flag raising at the Banff Communi...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: September 12, 2018
Standard Fees for use of The FenlandsStandard fees will apply for venue rentals if TSN returns to Banff with the Curling Skins Game. The television network had requested council waive fees to rent The Fenlands for the event for the next three years. The ...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: August 15, 2018
TSN Venue Request
The Sports Network (TSN) has requested rental and operation fees for The Fenlands be provided in-kind should the network hold the TSN Curling Skins game in Banff over the next three years. TSN held the curling event in Banff from 2014 to...
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Council Updates
Posted on: July 18, 2018
Public Hearing on Bylaw 398A Public Hearing was held on Bylaw 398, a land use amendment that would affect the number of parking stalls required for certain apartment buildings due to changes in transit routes. The Town of Banff allows a reduction in requ...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: June 27, 2018
Water Services ChargesRundleview Housing Cooperative president Steven Ross Smith spoke to council as a delegation regarding an invoice the board of directors received from the Town for water services. The cooperative had a water leak on their property in...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: June 13, 2018
Smoking cannabis in public prohibited
Council unanimously passed a Streets and Public Place Use bylaw amendment that prohibits smoking or vaping cannabis in all public places. In advance of federal legislation legalizing recreational use of canna...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: May 29, 2018
Council amended Policy C012 to increase the housing cash-in-lieu fee from $21,000 to $32,810. Requiring housing for commercial developments has been a Town of Banff regulation since incorporation. A cash-in-lieu provision was introduced for housing in 199...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: May 15, 2018
Council directed administration to enter into negotiations with the current canoe concession operator for a two-year extension to their contract. The existing lease is a five year agreement ending October 15, 2018 with an option of a two year extension. T...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: May 1, 2018
Council voted in favour of amending the capital budget to move the Wolf Street and Caribou Street Roadway Improvements Project from 2020 to 2018. The operating budget was amended to add $50,000 in 2018 to support the project, with funds coming from the bu...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: April 25, 2018
A public hearing on Bylaw 393, a land use amending bylaw on the Wild Fire Risk Zones Map was held prior to council giving second and third reading to the bylaw. No public input was received at the hearing. The map was first adopted in 2006. It establishes...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: April 10, 2018
Council approved amendments to the Festival and Special Events Policy C5001. Changes include allowing no more than 10 per cent of personal services vendors at farmers markets, seasonal markets, etc. Personal services may include massage therapy, face pain...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: March 27, 2018
Council gave first reading to Bylaw 393, a Land Use Bylaw amendment to update the Town’s fire risk zone map. A public hearing on the amendment has been scheduled for Monday, April 23 at 2 p.m. at Town Hall. The map was first adopted by council i...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: January 23, 2018
Council voted to direct administration to create a list of prominent heritage sites in town which are not current designated, and in times where there is urgent concern about the status of those sites, to inform council in a timely fashion. The motion was...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: January 16, 2018
Council approved the 2018 Service Review as the guiding document, the 2018-2020 Operating Budget and the 2018-2027 Capital Budget. The operating budget indicates a property tax increase of 5.34%. The impact of this is approximately an additional $130.88 f...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: January 10, 2018
Mayor Karen Sorensen announced the Town of Banff was awarded a $32,000 grant from the Alberta Historical Resources Foundation. The funding will go towards preservation and restoration work on the Bow River Bridge, the Old Banff Cemetery and the Banff Powe...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: December 19, 2017
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...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: December 12, 2017
Council gave three readings to Bylaw 388 – 2018 Fees and Charges – but postponed a vote on fees for sidewalk seating until they could review options for different ways to charge for the use of public sidewalks. Currently, a sidewalk se...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: November 29, 2017
Banff Marathon executive director Paul Regensburg spoke to council as a delegation to give an overview of the 2017 race and speak about their sustainability initiatives. Regensburg said the race brought an estimated 11,270 visitors to Banff with the 2,250...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: October 11, 2017
Council approved overnight, on-street parking restrictions for parts of the downtown core to improve snow removal operations. The restrictions are implemented seasonally from November 15 to March 31 and are enforced from 2 a.m. to 7 a.m. A map of the area...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: September 27, 2017
The meeting began with two delegations. Marc LeBlanc spoke on behalf of Canadian Cannabis Compassionate Community about the non profit organization’s goals and activities. Arctos Bird principal Peter Poole provided h...
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Council Updates
Posted on: September 12, 2017
Council gave two readings to Traffic Bylaw 16-8. Updates to the bylaw were part of recommendations from the Trails Master Plan to clarify definitions for highways, sidewalks and trails; address the use of horses on trails, including the addition of a map ...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: August 15, 2017
Council gave three readings to Bylaw 385, an amendment to the Assessment Review Board Bylaw, and appointed Anne Marie Mullane and Ken Sawatzky as members of the board for a term starting August 15 until December 31. The bylaw allows the appointment of qua...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: July 19, 2017
Council received an update on the Verdant Creek wildfire that was first detected on July 15 in Kootenay National Park. Smoke from the fire continues to be visible in the Town of Banff, but there is no immediate risk to the community. The Banff Fire Depart...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: June 27, 2017
Council voted in favour of having a question put on the October municipal election ballot regarding pay parking. The question will read, “Is there ever a time the Town of Banff should implement user paid parking?” Eligible voters will ...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: June 13, 2017
Lorraine Widmer-Carson, executive director of the Banff-Canmore Community Foundation, spoke as a delegation to council giving an update on the organization, their recent projects and grant initiatives. Rob Buffler was also introduced as the foundation&...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: May 24, 2017
Council gave three readings to the 2017 Tax Rate Bylaw. The overall tax levy increase is 5.93%. During budget preparation, it was estimated the overall tax increase would be 4.75%, but with the actual municipal levy, education levy, Bow Valley Regional Ho...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: May 9, 2017
Council received a briefing on the results of the recently completed Resident Satisfaction Survey. The Town conducts this scientifically accurate telephone survey during election years so a new council and staff can use the information to help set priorit...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: April 26, 2017
Council received an update on various recreation projects in town:
- The detailed design for the new skateboard park is complete with some site work underway relocating underground utilities. Weather permitting, construction will begin in May, and will be ...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: April 11, 2017
Council gave three readings to Bylaw 381 – Fees and Charges Bylaw Amendment No. 1 (Festival and Special Event Fees) and approved changes to the Festival and Events Policy C5001. The bylaw and policy set fees for temporary, seasonal, and non-resi...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: March 28, 2017
Mariana and David Shackleton spoke to council as a delegation, requesting changes to the traffic bylaw to allow pedicabs on certain roads. The Shackletons are interested in opening a pedicab business to shuttle riders from The Fenlands to the IGA and from...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: March 13, 2017
Council approved procedures for the 2017 municipal election. Approval included appointment of the municipal clerk as returning officer, the director of corporate services as the alternate returning officer, and the authorization to hold advanced votes. No...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: February 28, 2017
Council gave second and third reading to residential and non-residential waste bylaws. Bylaw 376, the residential waste bylaw, introduces a fee of $240 per tonne for disposal of treated wood. Bylaw 377, the non-residential waste bylaw, includes some fee c...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: February 14, 2017
Council gave second and third reading to Bylaw 379, which amends development fees. Council voted to reduce the cost of filing a subdivision or development appeal from $200 to $100, as was originally proposed in the fee changes on December 19, 2016. At a p...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: January 25, 2017
Council gave second and third reading to Bylaw 380, a land use bylaw amending bylaw on apartment housing parking. The bylaw incorporates provisions of Policy C122 – Residential Apartment Housing / Off-street Parking and Alternative Transportatio...Read on...
Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: January 24, 2017
A public hearing on Bylaw 380, a land use amending bylaw regarding apartment housing parking, was held at 9 a.m. The bylaw proposes incorporating provisions of Policy C122 – Residential Apartment Housing/Off-Street Parking and Alternative Transp...Read on...
Council Updates
Posted on: January 10, 2017
A public hearing was held on Bylaw 379 – Development Fees Amendment. The bylaw would increase some development fees related to new construction permits, bed and breakfast homes, late application fees, compliance certificates and development appeals. Three...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: November 29, 2016
Council gave three readings to the 2017 Temporary Borrowing Bylaw 247-11. A borrowing bylaw is passed annually by council to authorize administration to borrow funds to cover operating expenses in the time before the Town has raised budgeted revenue for t...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: November 16, 2016
Parks Canada biologist Karsten Heuer spoke to council as a delegation to give an update about the reintroduction of bison to Banff National Park. Parks Canada is in the final public consultation phase of the plan, collecting input on the detailed environm...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: October 25, 2016
Banff Marathon event director Paul Regensburg spoke to council as a delegation, giving an overview of the 2016 event that took place in June. Participants from the event came from 23 countries, 32 US states, 11 provinces and 110 communities in Alberta. Th...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: October 12, 2016
Council voted to extend the 2015/2016 overnight winter parking restrictions trial for one year to collect more data. A section of downtown Banff has overnight parking restrictions in place throughout the winter months to allow for efficient snow removal p...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: September 28, 2016
Prior to the start of the meeting, Mayor Karen Sorensen announced the 2016 winners of the #WeAreBanff employee commuter challenge. Parks Canada employees won the “Rusty Handlebar” trophy with 91 per cent green commute days versus days worked. Employees fr...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: July 19, 2016
Angelo Mancuso spoke to council as a delegation, requesting Policy C122 be changed to allow fourplex housing the option of applying for reduced parking. Policy C122 allows apartment complex developers to apply for reduced parking provided other requiremen...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: June 28, 2016
Council postponed second reading of Bylaw 359, a land use bylaw amendment in the CA accommodation district, which proposes increasing the allowable gross floor area for convenience store space in service stations from 10% to 70%. Council requested more in...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: June 14, 2016
The Banff Greenhouse Gardening Society presented to council as a delegation, discussing the success of the organization and their plans for the future. The two greenhouses in the community have been so popular the society had to decline 44 applications fo...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: May 10, 2016
Council waived the rental fees for the use of Central Park and 101 Bear Street for the Filipino Organization in the Rocky Mountains’ upcoming Philippine Independence Day celebration on June 12. Jun Cacayuran spoke to council as a delegation on behalf of t...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: April 26, 2016
A public hearing was held on Bylaw 359, a land use bylaw amendment to increase the allowable gross floor area for convenience retail stores/eating and drinking establishments at gas stations in the CA district, going from 10% to 70%. Seven people spoke at...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: April 11, 2016
Council voted to postpone first reading of Bylaw 364, a borrowing bylaw to fund the purchase of 221 Beaver Street, until the April 25 meeting. Council also asked for additional information on a business plan for projected revenues and expenses for the bui...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: March 30, 2016
Council approved the Employee Compensation and Benefits Policy C2001, which had been amended at council’s request at the March 14 meeting to include a definition on comparative markets. The policy comes out of the Town’s 2015 external market compensation ...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: March 17, 2016
The Town will increase the level of snow and ice clearing on sidewalks leading from seniors’ residences into downtown beginning in October 2016. Council had asked for an update of when the increased service, approved at the February 22 meeting, could be e...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: February 23, 2016
Council approved Banff’s participation in a regional collaboration looking to reinstating a passenger rail service between Calgary and the Bow Valley. Approving the collaboration allows the town and partners to apply for funding from the Alberta Community...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: February 16, 2016
After receiving three verbal submissions from public, and a failed motion to postpone third reading to the first meeting in March, council gave second and third reading to Borrowing Bylaw 355 – 535-547 Deer Street and 145-155 Cave Avenue Lands. The bylaw ...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: January 26, 2016
Council will recommend the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission waive transit fares on Roam for a year for up to eight Syrian refugees living in the area as part of the Bow Valley Syria Refugee Project. Representatives of the project spoke to c...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: January 11, 2016
Council gave first reading to Bylaw 355, a borrowing bylaw to fund the purchase of a lease of land for an affordable housing project. The total project cost to acquire 535-547 Deer Street and 145-155 Cave Avenue, and to do a preliminary engineering analys...
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Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: December 8, 2015
Council gave second and third reading to Bylaw 250-3 Loan Guarantee Bylaw – Rocky Mountains Cooperative Housing Association and the Rocky Mountains II Cooperative Housing Association. Since 2006, the Town of Banff has guaranteed the mortgages on the prope...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: November 25, 2015
Council approved doubling the service of Roam regional transit for peak periods during the week. The increase – with funding already included in the budget – will have buses travelling between Banff and Canmore at 30 minute intervals. Council also support...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: November 12, 2015
Council Briefs, Monday, November 9, 2015 To facilitate snow clearing and removal, Council approved a one-year trial of winter parking regulations in downtown Banff. On-street parking is prohibited between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. on designated streets of Lynx, B...
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Summer Traffic Overview
Council Updates
Posted on: October 26, 2015
Banff Public Library board chair Suzanne Rackover and head librarian Sarah McCormack spoke to council as a delegation, giving an update on programs and services since joining the Marigold Library System. The library has been able to increase programming a...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: October 14, 2015
Mayor Karen Sorensen presented awards to the winners of the #WeAreBanff commuter challenge. Employees from the Town of Banff, Parks Canada, Banff Lake Louise Tourism and The Banff Centre challenged each other to use active transportation to get to work ov...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: September 29, 2015
YWCA of Banff CEO Connie MacDonald spoke as a delegation to council, giving an update on the local charity’s organizational and strategic plan. She spoke of the success of their latest fundraiser, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, their goal to build a shelter in...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: September 18, 2015
Council approved funding for a new incentive program to remove crab apple trees from private property and replace them with native, non-fruit bearing trees. The program, being done in partnership with Parks Canada, aims to reduce the number of crab apple ...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: August 24, 2015
Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission board chair Sean Krausert and CAO Martin Bean spoke to council as a delegation, giving an update on ridership some upcoming projects. Year to date, ridership has increased 10 per cent. The route that was dou...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: July 21, 2015
Banff Farmers Market manager Rene Geber spoke to council as a delegation, giving more information about the proposed market at the train station, while also requesting council reconsider allowing a market to operate in that location. On May 25, a 3-3 vote...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: June 10, 2015
Council voted to apply for funding assistance from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program, prioritizing the new skateboard park as a top project. The Canada 150 program, funded by the federal government, is accepting applications for projects rel...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: May 26, 2015
Librarian Sarah McCormack spoke to council as a delegation on behalf of the Banff Public Library, requesting council endorse the library board’s selection for representative to the Marigold Library System. Council voted to appoint Councillor Stavros Karlo...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: May 12, 2015
Council approved a municipal property tax increase of 6.21%. An average home, with an assessed value of $385,390, will see an increase of approximately $115. The commercial to residential mill rate split was set at 4:1. The tax rate bylaw will now be draf...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: April 14, 2015
A public hearing was held on two land use bylaw amendments: Bylaw 346 Exiting Commercial Gross Floor Area Transferability and Bylaw 347 Exiting Gross Floor Area Transfer Fees. There were four verbal presentations from the public and two written submission...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: March 24, 2015
Council agreed to waive fees for the instillation of street pole banners promoting The Banff Centre’s Children’s Festival following a delegation from the organization’s new president, Janice Price. The one-day festival will be held May 16, and the Town wi...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: March 11, 2015
A delegation from the local chapter of the Association Canadienne Française de l’Alberta (ACFA) spoke to council, giving an update on the programs and services they provide to French speaking residents of the Bow Valley. One of the focus areas of the ACFA...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: February 23, 2015
Council adopted the Trails Master Plan to help guide the development of trails and trail maintenance for the next 10 years. The plan has 62 suggested actions that range from improving access to the Bow Falls in the winter, to including distance markers al...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: January 26, 2015
Council received a briefing on the Get Out Program, which encourages young Banffites and their families to be active throughout the year. The program originally started as a pilot project in 2011, and now runs Friday nights at the high school gym for stud...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: December 18, 2014
The Town of Banff’s 2015-2025 capital and 2015-2017 operating budgets were passed by council on Thursday, December 18. No further changes to the budget were made at the meeting. The overall tax increase is expected to be 4.52%. The average residential hou...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: December 8, 2014
Council gave three readings to amend both the water system bylaw and sewer system bylaw. The amendments altered the rates to more accurately balance the funds going into the respective reserves. In 2014, administration completed a 100-year analysis of the...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: November 25, 2014
Banff Public Library board chair Ross Glenfield spoke to council as a delegation to explaining why they wanted to rejoin the Marigold Library System. Marigold is a consortium of 36 member libraries that share resources, an operating system, book collectio...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: November 10, 2014
Council voted to have the draft Trails Master Plan posted on Banff.ca and for it to be presented at a public open house at The Fenlands on Wednesday, November 26 from 6-9 p.m. The open house will give the public an opportunity to comment on the recommenda...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: October 29, 2014
Council voted to adopt the Banff Community Housing Strategy as a guide when making decisions on housing issues. Housing strategy committee chair Leslie Taylor presented the draft document to council and recommended changes from the original following inpu...
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Council Agendas
Council Updates
Posted on: October 15, 2014
Olympian Heidi Widmer presented town council with a framed race bib from the Sochi Olympics. Widmer, a born and raised Banffite, said she wanted to show her gratitude for the support of the Banff community with the gift. The town will hang the bib in a ce...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: September 29, 2014
Council gave second and third reading to Parking Initiatives Petition Bylaw 340. The user pay parking trial has now concluded, as well as the use of licence plate recognition technology. A report on the parking data collected during the trial will be pres...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: September 23, 2014
Council voted to continue with a solar electricity incentive program, setting a target payback period and funding commitment for the project. The community-wide initiative will be funded through the Environmental Reserve, with an investment of $300,000 an...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: September 15, 2014
Council gave first reading to the Parking Initiatives Petition Bylaw 340 and scheduled another special meeting for Monday, September 29 to give further consideration to the bylaw. The bylaw is in response to the petition that seeks to end the user pay par...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: September 9, 2014
Darcy Edison, CAO of the Bow Valley Waste Management Commission, presented the manager’s annual report during a delegation, giving a brief financial update and listing potential growth areas for the commission. The report also spoke about the organization...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: August 28, 2014
A petition filed July 31 asking council to repeal a number of parking initiatives was declared sufficient by the town manager. The petition seeks to end the user pay parking trial and the use of license plate recognition technology for both parking enforc...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: August 19, 2014
Banff Public Library’s new library director Sarah McCormack spoke to council as a delegation, introducing herself to the community and discussing some of the plans for the library’s future. She talked about how she’d like to introduce new events at the li...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: July 22, 2014
Alanna Pettigrew spoke to council as a delegation on behalf of Banff Residents Against Paid Parking. She said they had collected over 1,300 signatures on a petition that asks council to rescind the bylaws allowing a user-pay parking trial that will last t...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: June 24, 2014
Banff Centre president Jeff Melanson spoke to council as a delegation, giving an update on the organization’s strategic plan for the future, and their campus development. Council also heard from the Banff Centre’s Marie-Eve Marchand on the launch of Banff...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: June 10, 2014
Council voted to trial user-pay parking at five surface lots in the downtown core this summer. The lots represent 17% of the available parking in Banff. The trial will run from August 1 to October 31 at: Bear Street – 100 block next to Town Hall Bear Stre...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: May 14, 2014
Council has asked for draft amendments to the Committee Appointments Policy that would allow residents who are not Canadian citizens the ability to sit on advisory committees. The motion was made following a delegation by David Michaels, a Banff resident ...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: April 30, 2014
Council voted to conduct a municipal census this year that includes the shadow population of Banff. The population count is the basis for calculating per capita provincial grants for municipalities, and the information can help in developing future plans,...
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Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: April 15, 2014
Mayor Karen Sorensen started the meeting by thanking Councillor Chip Olver for her 20 years of service on town council. Olver was first elected in a by-election in March 1994. Her election in October 2013 began her seventh term on Banff’s council. Council...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: March 25, 2014
Mayor Karen Sorensen presented Banff Lake Louise Tourism with a plaque in recognition of their accreditation with the International Destination Marketing Association. To achieve accreditation, Banff Lake Louise Tourism underwent a rigorous audit of busine...
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Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: March 11, 2014
To encourage a shift to alternative modes of travel, and to encourage the development of smaller, more affordable apartments for Banff residents, Council adopted Policy C122, Residential Apartment Housing/Off-Street Parking and Alternative Transportation ...
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Read the Agenda Package
Council Updates
Posted on: February 25, 2014
Council postponed their vote on the Residential Apartment Housing/Off-Street Parking and Alternative Transportation Standards Policy C122 after making several amendments to the document. Council also asked administration to seek a legal opinion on a poten...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: February 12, 2014
Jamie MacVicar, representing a group of neighbours of 405, 407 and 409 Beaver Street, spoke against a proposed housing development on Beaver Street. MacVicar asked council to block the development of staff housing in that area. Council explained it did no...
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Meeting Minutes (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: January 14, 2014
A committee from the 2014 Banff/Canmore Alberta Winter Games spoke to council as a delegation, giving an update on their finances, the games’ schedule and volunteer requirements. Games chair Bob Ellard said despite some early challenges gathering donation...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates
Posted on: December 10, 2013
Council adopted the amended 2013 Recreation Facilities Master Plan as a guide for the development of recreation facilities in Banff over the next 10 years. Council had last reviewed the document in September, asking it be made available to the public for ...
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Agenda Package (PDF)
Council Updates