Editor:
The Town of Banff has become a commercial landlord renting out space on the streets for commercial patios and retail stands in the Banff Avenue pedestrian zone. The mayor and council are facing issues with complaints from Beaver Street, evacuation routes, etc. Those issues are all deeply important. But I am limiting my focus in this letter to that of the commercial expansion.
As a commercial landlord and one who benefits by renting some of the Town's space, I know this extra commercial space increases our revenue, while also increasing our numbers of staff.
If there is a misunderstanding with Parks Canada, I think there is a path forward. By law, there is only a limited amount of unbuilt commercial space left. All the Town has to do is secure the growth quota for this additional commercial activity. Then they will be playing by the same rules that we do as businesses. If the Town is intent on commercial activity in the pedestrian zone, now is the time for the Town to buy or expropriate the undeveloped commercial space that remains.
Peter J. Poole,
Banff
