The 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue were closed to vehicles on May 14, 2024, for implementation of the summer pedestrian zone. Gates were installed to allow Roam Transit to continue service in the zone, while planters, public seating and additional bike racks were added to the area. Businesses with permits were allowed to set up patios or displays, with the understanding that they could be removed before the full summer.
A vote of eligible residents on August 12, 2024, overturned the decision to have an annual summer pedestrian zone. Businesses with outdoor seating or retail displays on the roadway have been asked to remove infrastructure after the September Long Weekend.
Businesses were permitted to operate on the street until end of day on Tuesday, September 3. All tables and chairs, displays, patio structures are to be removed from the roadway by the end of day on September 4. Traffic signal lights are reprogramed and tested starting on September 5, with vehicles returning to Banff Avenue by the end of the week.
BackgroundThe Banff Avenue pedestrian zone started in 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of the street for pedestrians eager to visit Banff provided space for social distancing, while outdoor retail space and restaurant patios helped people safely access businesses at a time when interior restrictions on capacity and distancing were in place.
The pedestrian zone continued in 2021 through the continuation of pandemic restrictions. When pandemic restrictions were relaxed, the pedestrian zone was maintained as a pilot in 2022-23 as part of the town's economic recovery efforts, when more tourists were allowed to travel.
In late 2023, the Town of Banff conducted extensive consultation with Banff residents about the future of the pedestrian zone with workshops, focus groups and surveying. Information about the Pedestrian Zone consultation with residents and organizations is available at banffviewpoints.ca/banffave.
In January 2024, Banff Town Council voted to make the annual pedestrian zone a permanent summer feature from May Long Weekend to Thanks Giving Long Weekend. They envisioned changing the infrastructure over subsequent years to improve summer and winter uses of the two blocks for residents and visitors, including removing curbs and median obstacles for people in wheelchairs and stroller users, and changes to public seating, bicycle parking and other amenities.
PetitionIn March 2024, a petition to overturn the decision to have an annual pedestrian zone was submitted to the Town of Banff. Following rules under the Alberta Municipal Government Act, the petition was declared valid in April 2024. A petition is part of a democratic process enabled by the Municipal Government Act (MGA) with specific requirements. Petitioners were mainly opposed to the impacts of traffic detoured off Banff Avenue.
Because a provincially legislated petition was submitted, Banff Town Council could have overturned their previous decision, or put it to a vote. They chose to hold a vote of eligible voters on August 12, 2024. According to provincial law, voters must be Canadian citizens, 18 years old or older, and reside in Banff.
The vote was binding.
Residents vote 'No' for Banff’s Downtown Pedestrian ZoneThe following are the official results of the Pedestrian Zone vote:
Do you support Banff Town Council’s decision to have a downtown pedestrian zone on Banff Avenue every summer, from the May Long Weekend to the Thanksgiving Long Weekend:
1,194 Yes
1,328 No
A total of 2,523 votes were cast, including 1,246 votes in the three advanced voting days, and 115 votes cast by special ballot. There was one rejected ballot due to over voting.
Because the results are 'No,' according to provincial law, Council must pass a bylaw to rescind their original decision to have an annual summer Pedestrian Zone.
On August 26, Banff Town Council passed a bylaw to rescind the previous direction to have an annual pedestrian zone in summer. The bylaw was required as part of the process set out by the Alberta Municipal Government Act, in response to a petition and the August 12 vote.
The pedestrian zone public amenities were dismantled after the September long weekend, including removal of extra public seating, bicycle parking and flower planters. Businesses with outdoor seating or retail displays on the roadway were asked to remove them after the long weekend.
According to provincial law, only people who are 18 years old or older, Canadian citizens and residents of Banff were allowed to vote. In the federal census in 2021, Statistics Canada reported there were 4,450 Banff residents with Canadian Citizenship, aged 18 years old and older.
The main voting day was held on August 12, 2024, at Town Hall. The official name of the process was a Vote on a Question in accordance with the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA). Three Advance Voting days we held on July 13, 17 and 29. Special Ballot applications were accepted from June 3, until August 12, (this includes the Institutional Vote conducted at the Banff Mineral Springs Hospital).
For background on petitions, visit https://banff.ca/petitions
Ongoing discussions with Parks Canada regarding commercial development of public lands
(The following was prepared in collaboration with Parks Canada)
Following a number of discussions in the fall of 2023 between the Town of Banff and Parks Canada, in January 2024, Banff Town Council and administration received additional correspondence from Parks Canada requesting further discussion around the commercial development (i.e., restaurant patios and retail outlets) of public lands.
Through these discussion and letters, Parks Canada has continued to confirm its support for pedestrian-friendly initiatives and public seating and spaces, including the presence of a pedestrian zone, but Parks Canada asked to discuss and better understand the commercial development of public lands. This is because, when it comes to private commercial development of public lands, for decades, Canadians have demanded, and Parks Canada and the Town of Banff have committed to careful management and protection of public spaces in Banff. The total commercial square footage allowed in Banff is set by the Parliament of Canada.
Banff Town Council directed administration to continue its ongoing discussions with Parks Canada on the matter. The Town and Parks Canada look forward to continued discussions to ensure an aligned outcome about outdoors patios for restaurants and merchandise display for retail operations.
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