Greenhouse Society Secures Funding
The 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 majority of the funding provided by the Town of Banff. This summer, council had approved up to $50,000 to help build a new community greenhouse in the recreation grounds. With the CFEP grant, the society will no longer need the full contribution from the town, and anticipates returning a large portion of the funds. Construction on the third greenhouse is scheduled to take place in April, with an anticipated May opening. Currently, the greenhouse society has 59 plots in two greenhouses. A third greenhouse will add 30 more gardening plots. Registration is now open for greenhouse plots, and residents can apply online at
Banff.ca/register.
Grant for Housing Project
Council approved a grant of $152,379.56 for the YWCA of Banff’s new housing development, the Courtyard Project. The grant will cover the amount of municipal fees required for development, including building permits, off-site levies, civic addressing fees, etc. Council supported the grant because the project helps advance the Banff Community Housing Strategy. The Courtyard Project will create 24 apartment housing units and nine hostel units at the YWCA on Spray Avenue. Since incorporation, council had received eight requests to reduce or waive off-site levies. Approvals have been granted for the Banff Elementary School, Whyte Museum and Day Care Centre.
Area Redevelopment Plan for Railway Lands
Town council gave a green light allow Liricon Capital Ltd. to prepare an Area Redevelopment Plan (ARP) that will guide development of the lands surrounding the train station. The plan will contain a range of elements to be approved by council, such as heritage, wildlife and environmental considerations, architectural and landscape designs, approved land uses, public access and connectivity, and other aspects of development. The creation of the ARP will take a number of months and will involve public input. An ARP is required before Liricon Capital Ltd. can begin redevelopment of the railway lands. The majority of the area is located within the CR (Railway Lands) Land Use District and includes the CP Rail right-of-way, the train station and a lands immediately adjacent to the south of the district. An example of a previous ARP in Banff was the plan to guide build out on the land occupied by the Banff Centre.