The Town of Banff is going out to the community on proposals to control souvenir shops and fast-food outlets in a bid to improve experiences in the famed national park tourist town.
As well, there are proposed changes to make sure Banff can preserve its grocery stores and gas stations, considered vital services for visitors and residents alike.
Called community kiosks, six information sessions on Phase 2 of the Land Use Bylaw – which centres around commercial land use regulations – have been scheduled, beginning Saturday, March 26 and ending April 2.
The administrative planning team for the review is not allowed to speak with media on the proposals, as mayor and council want to take control of the messages being put out to the public.
Mayor Karen Sorensen said many options are being explored to better position Banff as a destination, given the world-wide tourism market continues to evolve and change.
“We’re trying to differentiate ourselves in today’s competitive destination markets and some of these suggestions may be ways to differentiate ourselves,” she said.
“Just sitting and doing nothing is not an option anymore. The world is changing and our markets are changing and I don’t think we can be successful if we continue to be exactly what we’ve been all along.”
Guided by the Banff Community Plan, the review team has come up with a host of proposals, including controls on future fast food restaurants and gift shops.
One sector that dominates Banff’s main thoroughfare is souvenir and gift shops, which typically offer a standardized set of merchandise that can be found in any Canadian tourist destination.
The Town has backed away from a quota on gift shop business licences, but now proposes to make souvenir and gift shops discretionary, meaning the planning commission must approve them.
Some of the considerations for the commission could include the context, number and location of the existing 27 gift stores when reviewing new applications.
“When visitors are here, the municipality’s job is to make sure they have an experience that makes them want to come back,” said Mayor Sorensen.
“The Chinese market does not want to buy things made in China. If they are coming, and we hope they are, they would like to buy something made in Canada.”
There are also some new proposals to regulate future fast food joints.
Initially, the review team proposed future fast food restaurants be relegated to the Cascade Plaza, but now suggest they be restricted to non-street front locations, such as lower and upper levels, or back alleys.
They have also amended the definition of a formula fast-food restaurant, so as to not include locally-owned businesses like Aardvarks and Barpa Bill’s.
Other options being discussed include regulating out all formula-based franchise restaurants and not limiting proposed changes to fast food alone.
Yet another option is to ban franchise fast food operations outright, or continue to let market forces dictate what makes Banff a more attractive destination.
The idea behind the proposals on fast food restaurants is to create unique dining experiences for visitors, particularly given many visitors say they do not get the feeling of being in an authentic mountain community.
Sorensen said it’s not about disallowing fast food restaurants, it’s about changing how they’re regulated, noting people want fast food in the community.
“This is not a comment about fast food. This is needed in our community because we have a high demand for it,” she said.
“It’s not about disallowing them; it’s about suggesting there is a better way to present fast food.”
In order to remain competitive and maintain their unique community characters, other resort communities either have or are working on similar changes for their communities.
In the French Quarter district of New Orleans, new T-shirt and souvenir shops are prohibited entirely in some parts, while in other areas are prohibited from opening within 600 feet of an existing shop of the same nature.
Carmel-by-the-Sea in California has dealt with the onslaught of specific businesses through a mix of quotas and prohibitions. For example, jewellery stores are capped at 32 and formula restaurants are not permitted.
Aspen, Colorado, meanwhile, is also in the process of looking at quotas, limited prohibitions and zonings to deal with the proliferation of some businesses.
As for Banff, Sorensen said council welcome input from all residents, noting that as well as community kiosks, there will be face-to-face meeting with businesses, an online survey and updated website info.
Community kiosks are set for March 26 at Bison Courtyard from 10 a.m. to noon; March 29 at Cascade Plaza from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; March 30 at Kirby Lane Mall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; March 31 at Nester’s Market from 5-7 p.m.; April 1 at Bison Courtyard from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and April 2 at Mount Norquay Lodge from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“The public input piece is crucial and we’re looking forward to lots of feedback,” said Sorensen.
For more details go to the town’s website at, visit Banff.ca/ourlanduse
