An outright ban on chain stores and restaurants is officially off the table – but politicians are willing to investigate setting quotas for all chain restaurants.
The community is once again up in arms over the potential loss of yet another local business, Banff Tea Company, as word spread David’s Tea is heading to the tourist town.
In a bid to bring closure to the ongoing contentious debate that has brewed for two decades, council has voted against an outright ban on future chains once and for all.
But, they did direct administration to come up with a recommended process to establish the type and level of quota system for all chain restaurants, not just formula fast food.
It also would be tied to an economic development strategy, which could include looking at increased vacancy rates, loss of the entrepreneurial class and a perceived loss of investment in town.
Officials say the discussion does not centre on quotas for chain retail stores at this time, as the intent has always been to look at this issue incrementally.
Councillor Stavros Karlos said the community is at a crossroads, but said he personally did not believe an outright ban on all future formula-based business was the right way to go.
“Formula-based businesses seem to be an ongoing source of anxiety for the community,” he said at a council meeting on Monday (Nov. 28).
“I’m not trying to antagonize anyone, but we need to move in one direction or another in order to have closure. I’ve stayed up all night worrying and figuring out how to move it along in a respectful manner.”
The decision to look at quotas came on the same day the Land Use Bylaw working group delivered its final report. The group could not reach consensus on the issue, but a portion of the group believed quotas should be further explored.
It also comes hot on the heels of news David’s Tea, a Montreal-based business with close to 30 stores across Canada and parts of the United States, is opening in the new year.
That’s led to a public outcry about the future of the locally-owned Banff Tea Co., which operates just around the corner on Caribou Street.
The last time there was such a public outcry, which culminated in a town hall meeting, was over the loss of the treasured Banff Book and Art Den when corporate giant Indigo opened up shop.
Nonetheless, Susanne Gillies Smith, the owner of Banff Tea Co., is pleased council is at least prepared to consider the idea of quotas.
“I am not against all chains. I think some chains are necessary, like Safeway and The Dollar Store,” she said.
“If quotas mean finding a balance within the community and we will be able to represent Banff with a unique mountain town, then I’m all for it.”
As of Monday, 542 people had signed a petition and more than 40 letters have been sent in support of her business and community based businesses in general, over corporate giants.
Gillies Smith, along with other residents and out-of-towners, also want council to implement an immediate freeze on any new chain businesses.
“My only fear is they don’t fill the swimming pool full of toxic water before they jump in,” said Gillies Smith.
“I am hoping they wait on accepting any more proposed businesses coming in until they are able to establish what this quota is.”
There appears to be no political appetite to do that.
Mayor Karen Sorensen said a freeze on business licences for new formula establishments has never been discussed by this council.
“It’s certainly not on our list of topics to discuss,” she said. “If a formula-based group applied to the Town of Banff today, the current and existing regulations would apply to them.”
Gordon Lozeman, president of Caribou Properties, said David’s Tea has leased space from them at 201 Banff Avenue – where Hero Shirts used to be – effective Jan. 1, 2012.
“They are Canadian. Their business is selling bulk tea to consumers, and they seem to really focus on making tea fun, or hip, for people of all ages,” he said. “Hopefully, it will be good for the tea market in Banff as a whole. It definitely seems to be a consumer market that’s growing.”
It is not clear what a quota system will look like – tied to square footage, a percentage of total establishments, an exact number or tied to the location or owner.
As part of council’s motion for a report on a recommended process for establishing the type and level of quota system, they also want to find a way for public input.
Karlos said he could only consider a quota system it if were tied to an economic development strategy for the town.
“What I’m looking for is a thriving, vibrant downtown core,” he said. “That’s what my vision is.”
Coun. Leslie Taylor said she could not support an outright ban, but did say the idea of quotas is interesting.
“When I talk to local residents, there are lots of formula-based businesses in the community that are very important. We need to attempt to find a balance,” she said.
“(A quota system) does not involve the Town meddling in each and every individual transaction, and it provides long-term clarity over what will and will not be allowed now and in the future.”
Coun. Paul Baxter was the only politician opposed, saying he is against any move to meddle in the free market.
“So far Banff has done well with the restrictions in place and any further regulation or quotas would be detrimental to the economy,” he said.
David Bayne, the chairman of the Land Use Bylaw working group, said the group could not reach consensus on this issue, but some said quotas should be further explored.
“I think the issue of quotas is the least offensive for the free market sector,” he said.
Meanwhile, a proposal from the Land Use Bylaw working group to establish spot zoning for gas stations and grocery stores has been taken off the table.
However, at council’s direction, administration will return with a proposal at the completion of the commercial inventory to bank a portion of the commercial development allotments for future community development and essential services. Banking of this portion would be reviewed every five years by council.
There will also be another report coming forward within the next two years on what potential financial incentives could be given to businesses deemed essential services in Banff.
