A decision has been made to ease the squeeze on Banff’s zero per cent vacancy rate.
The Municipal Planning Commission gave a green light to a proposed additional housing project at Deer Lane in Banff on Nov. 24.
A development permit for the housing project – a three-storey, 132-unit residence off Banff Avenue and nestled between Marmot Street and Antelope St. – was approved with conditions to be met made by MPC.
Councillors Brian Standish and Ted Christensen, who sit on the MPC board, removed themselves from the meeting due to a conflict of interest.
The timeframe for anyone to appeal the MPC’s decision is two weeks, starting Thursday (Dec. 1).
At the meeting, two key changes were requested by the MPC of GEC Architecture; for a revised landscape plan to be brought back to address the buffer area between Deer Street and the development, and to ensure that vehicles using the main lane can adequately turn around, as well as lesser items of concern.
Amendments to the housing project were made by the Town of Banff after Banff residents expressed concern about the proposal, such as on-street parking, parking policy C-122, and buffer zones, among others.
Banff’s housing sustainability coordinator Sharon Oakley said the mountain town is a community in need of more and affordable housing, which has been a pressing issue.
“Fifty-four per cent of Banff residents rent. The Alberta average is 20 per cent,” said Oakley. “We didn’t take any decisions lightly, we’re trying to make good community decisions … the need is clear and we have the opportunity, will and commitment to do it.”
Banff resident Ken Beatty, speaking on behalf of 40 residents, stated they are not against the affordable housing, but felt the plans contradicted the Town’s parking bylaws.
“(Deer Lane would be the) largest and densest development Banff has seen in years,” said Beatty. “We feel we need greater clarity and commitment from the town.”
The development would be a three-storey (maximum height of 11.5 metres), three building development which includes 26 studios (300 sq. ft., minimum), 69 one bedrooms (approx. 425 sq. ft.), 37 two bedrooms (approx. 600 sq. ft.), and five two-bedroom A-frame duplexes.
The cost of the project is estimated at just over $23.8 million – none of which will be at the cost of Banff ratepayers.
The cost of monthly rental rates will be: studio ($860.38), one-bedroom ($1,122.24), and two-bedroom ($1,645.96). Terms and conditions have not been finalized yet.
The site would have 144 required parking stalls
In addition to the development, there will be an underground parkade for 80 vehicles and space for 234 bicycles.
The hope is construction would start in 2017 and people could begin taking occupancy in 2018.
