Editor: I am among the many who were quite shocked and disappointed at the amount of trees that were cut down for the intercept parking lot.
I was at the train station a few years ago when the parking lot was announced. I had gone over all of the information provided in detail and there was never any mention of cutting down trees near the police station.
I attended the open house that Liricon Capital hosted in March and was informed that the area that was clear cut on Railway Avenue is designated to be bus and RV parking.
The questions they were unable to answer were: Will the parking lot be paved this year? Will there be traffic/parking control personnel employed? Are there plans to put a roundabout in front of the train station in the future?
Before the Town of Banff starts working on the possibility of a residents-only parking pass (as desired by Liricon Capital) I have a few simple ideas to purpose.
First, change all parking in downtown Banff (including all levels of the Bear Street Parkade) to two hours from 9 a.m.-7 p.m., with the exception of 15 minute loading zones, and nine hour parking on Bow Avenue with no RV parking allowed.
Second, RVs only permitted in designated parking lots, or at the campgrounds, not on roadways. Many of us have personally experienced how nerve racking it is to slowly drive onto a road when sight lines are impaired by RVs parked on the corner.
Third, change the parking lot near the Banff Park Lodge/hospital to year round, regular vehicle only, two hour parking between 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
Finally, closely monitor the use of accessible parking stalls in surface lots and increase the amount of stalls if necessary.
I understand that these ideas may not be what downtown business desire, as they would like tourists to linger longer and spend more money.
My answer to that would be to host a plebiscite open to all Town of Banff residents to weigh in on the subject.
I have had many conversations with friends and colleagues who have encouraged me to share my ideas.
Two hours is enough time to go out to dinner. It is enough time to purchase groceries. It is enough time for a yoga class. It is enough time to go to a doctor’s appointment and pick up a prescription.
Michelle Signer,
Banff
