Banff, AB - Council defeated bylaw amendment 314 to the Banff Land Use Bylaw that would have imposed quotas on the number of formula-based businesses in the national park town. The vote was 5-1 with Councillor Brian Standish voting in favour of the bylaw and Councillor Chip Olver absent.
An attempt to amend the bylaw by Councillor Leslie Taylor to eliminate the quota but make approval of formula-based businesses discretionary was also defeated 4-2, with Councillors Taylor and Standish voting in favour.
The Town also learned today that the Minister of Environment endorsed the amendments to Land Use Bylaw which were approved by Council in 2012. The amendments become effective immediately and include regulations around the number of free-standing signs on frontage, the look, use and number of storeys permitted on downtown Banff buildings and the look of interior design to eliminate blank facades on storefronts.
The Town of Banff has been reviewing its Land Use Bylaw over the last several years, which triggered the debate over formula-based businesses. The next phase of the review is concerned with regulations around growth management – including commercial development allotment, transferability and floor space administration and as well as public service lands. All changes to Banff’s Land Use Bylaw must be approved by the federal Ministry of Environment which oversees Parks Canada.
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FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
DIANA WALTMANN, MANAGER, COMMUNICATIONS
TOWN OF BANFF
DIRECT: 403.762.1207, CELL: 403.431.2307
diana.waltmann@banff.ca