Council debate on Land Use Bylaw Amendment 314 was postponed to the next meeting (March 11).
Council approved some measure of outdoor merchandising and retail, on a trial basis, for the summer of 2013. The level permitted is yet to be determined, but will include some form of display, such as planters. Council requested a comprehensive report and visitor and resident feedback in late summer.
Council gave second and third reading to the bylaw amendment to permit one-day business license option for out-of-town photographers. The list of licensed businesses is posted to banff.ca so that potential consumers can check.
Council agreed to move up the budget to build warming shelters for the ice rink at the high school, to take advantage of partnering with Parks Canada, which is also replacing some shelters in the backcountry. It provides economies of scale to build similar structures at the same time. The budget implication is $30,000. It's hoped that recycled glulam used in building The Fenlands can be used on the shelters.
Staff outlined the process for Cave Avenue reconstruction process. Four options ranging from two driving lanes only, to two driving lanes, bike lanes and sidewalks will be provided, first at an open house (on March 14 at The Fenlands) and on banff.ca. Residents can vote on their preferred option, and Council will consider the preferences when making their decision. All options retain the existing gravel trail, unchanged, with minor grade improvements, and all options will show the trees lost and retained.
Council said not yet to a proposal to offer rickshaw tours and transportation in Banff this summer, preferring to wait until the transportation masterplan is received and adopted, expected to be in April. The masterplan is featured at an open house (March 14 at The Fenlands). Council also asked for pertinent sections of the Land Use Bylaw and the Traffic Bylaw be amended and aligned, with recommendations on whether this form of transportation should be allowed in Banff.
Banff residential assessments for 2013 were flat while businesses saw a slight increase 2013. Assessment notices were mailed at the end of February. Property owners can appeal in March.
Council received correspondence from Connie Beaton and Jaime Vickers, who were unhappy with the Town's service. When asked by Council for clarification on property owner responsibilities as currently stands in the sewer bylaw, staff said the property owner is responsible for the sewer line from their building to the sewer main. Council asked for a comparison to other communities when the new sewer bylaw is proposed later this year.