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 zone in 2022 and 2023, which closes the 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue, as well as a portion of Caribou Street, during the summer months to allow for better pedestrian/cyclist movement and allow businesses to expand patios onto the street.
Administration will present a report outlining potential improvements, including further traffic mitigation, for debate on a 2023 Pedestrian Zone on December 5, 2022. Council will discuss if the pedestrian zone will continue as planned in 2023. In addition, council will decide if a design should be developed for a potential permanent pedestrian zone on Banff Avenue and if the Town should hold a comprehensive public consultation in 2023 about the pedestrian zone.
Service Review is an annual process where council reviews all the programs and services the municipality provides. All meetings are open to the public and are live streamed on https://banff.ca/live. Learn more at https://banff.ca/servicereview
All correspondence received as part of the September 26 meeting agenda will be saved and made available for the December 5 meeting. Letters can also be sent to council.
Council to debate free regional transit, extra grant funding, e-bike rebates and more
Council wants to debate several changes to service levels, as part of their annual budget process this winter. In their September 26 meeting, councillors identified items that they would like to debate in the annual budget review in November and December, after administration prepares background information. Items suggested for examination include:
- Expanding free Roam Public Transit to residents using the Canmore-Banff regional route and the route connecting Lake Louise and Banff;
- Doubling funding to community grants;
- Creating a subscription-based e-mail newsletter with current traffic data and links to historical traffic info on banff.ca in an easy to find and use location;
- Increasing the frequency of pressure washing garbage bins/sidewalks on Banff Avenue;
- Continuing the e-bike rebate program in 2024/2025; and
- Adding summer bike racks in the downtown core (2023) and resuming a bike rack program with $10,000 per year for potential strategies for improvements.