BANFF – For the fourth year in a row, Councillor Peter Poole has lost his bid to sit on Banff’s Municipal Planning Commission (MPC).
The first-term councillor made his pitch to his colleagues at the annual organizational meeting on Monday (Oct. 26) for one of two council seats on MPC, but lost in a secret ballot to councillors Corrie DiManno and Chip Olver who wouldn't step aside to give Poole a chance.
“There’s merit in giving voice to the constituents who elected me, this being my last year on council,” said Coun. Poole, who later confirmed he has no plans at this time to run in the 2021 municipal election.
“I bring the voice of builder and designer to the committee that decides Banff’s built environment and this experience and expertise to the MPC only strengthens its decisions.”
Coun. Poole said he has a keen interest in housing issues facing the townsite, too, which can be addressed through decisions on MPC.
“The MPC deals with housing and the economic consequences of planning decisions, which have caused chronic housing shortages and high rents,” he said.
Lastly, Coun. Poole said the Town of Banff requests that MPC members are competent in urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture, construction, engineering and real estate.
“I may be the only applicant with two engineering degrees and an economics degree,” he said. “I know this experience is the right fit for the MPC.”
DiManno, who was elected to council in 2013, and Olver, who has been on council since 1994, have both served on MPC for the past three years following the 2017 election. Both councillors have also sat on the commission during previous council terms.
Coun. Poole pointed out that these appointments are one-year terms and meant to be up for discussion and debate every year at the annual organizational meeting.
“They do not contemplate four-year terms as we’ve been doing for this council,” he said.
Coun. DiManno wanted to stay on MPC for another year, noting she is an active participant with near perfect attendance.
“I believe I am an effective listener and that I am able to make decisions based on facts after taking in both sides from the applicant and the public,” she said.
“In that regard, I am also able to represent the broader interest of the public and the community at MPC.”
DiManno believes her years of experience on this committee should be taken into account.
“I understand local knowledge as best as I can, and this includes issues or attitudes around growth and development in the community,” she said.
“I’m also deeply dedicated to shaping Banff’s built environment and trying to make Banff as beautiful, sustainable and wonderful as it can be to stand the test of time.”
Highlighting her knowledge of the Land Use Bylaw and the decision-making process, Coun. Olver said they are two reasons that make her qualified to sit on MPC.
“I also believe every councillor who was elected by virtue of being given support of the electorate is qualified to serve on any committee, including MPC,” she said.
In addition, the 26-year councillor believes it’s important that councillors remain on their current committees to provide stability and continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Due to these extraordinary circumstances caused by this global pandemic, I believe we will best serve our boards and commissions by retaining our current appointments,” she said.
Mayor Karen Sorensen decided to step away from her role on the Development Appeal Board to nominate Coun. Poole to the position.
“I know this is an area that you’re passionate about,” she said, noting the quasi-judicial board, however, does not meet regularly like MPC.
“Based on what you’ve said about your experience in the community, and your experience currently with three years into council, your talent and your knowledge will be beneficial to the Development Appeal Board,” she said.
At Monday’s meeting, Barb Pelham, Brian Smythe, Scott McElhorne, Dana Humbert and Jean Macpherson were appointed to one-year terms as public members on MPC. Parks Canada’s representative on the commission is Bryan Howie.
The DAB public membership is made up of Dak Ker, Peter Eshenko, Stavros Karlos and Kane Shepetunko. Administration will continue advertising in an attempt to get more public members. Coun. Poole joins Coun. Grant Canning as a DAB council member. Parks Canada’s DAB representatives are Kendra Van Dyk and Sheila Luey.
