Banff’s population pushed to the ‘limit’: lodge owner
All that’s needed is a mini baby boom and the Town of Banff will surge past its 8,000 population “cap.”
The federal census numbers released Feb. 8 show 7,851 people in the mountain town, an increase of 3.5 per cent from the 2011 census. But those numbers don’t jive with the town’s own 2014 data of 9,386 permanent and non-permanent residents.
Regardless which is correct, the town is faced with a growing population, and need for somewhere to put them.
“The town and Parks Canada missed a bullet today (with the new numbers) but they still have to face the battle and act prudently,” said Peter Poole, a longtime resident and owner of Juniper Lodge.
Poole argues the crux of the issue is a “relentless drive” for more business in the town and park, which leads to more workers. The town dealt with 88 development permit applications last year, including one for its own 132-unit affordable housing complex. In addition, Parks Canada has approved expansions of the Banff Gondola dining and retail space as well as summer use of Mount Norquay and Sunshine Village.
“The number of permits before the town and those still to come clearly mean the population cap will be exceeded if we say yes to the applications. This is going to be an issue with every single development application in Banff.”
But a Parks Canada spokesperson points out that the population cap is only a “policy objective” outlined in its 2010 Banff management plan. “It is not a legislated limit such as the commercial development limit and town boundaries,” said Christina Tricomi.
“The anticipated population of 8,000 people was a modelling estimate predicting what the town’s population would be when buildout occurred. This was not intended to be a limit. In terms of population numbers, the goal is to have a healthy and vibrant community in Banff National Park.”
The so-called cap was put in place to ensure the town didn’t expand beyond its limits and encroach on the national park. It’s also meant to prevent overcrowding, housing and parking shortages and traffic congestion, made worse by growing numbers of tourists each year.
Neither Banff Mayor Karen Sorensen or the town manager were available for comment but communications manager Diana Waltmann clarified that 55 of the development applications in the past year were for existing residential properties to “meet our housing shortfall.”
Twenty-eight were for commercial work, five were for institutions such as schools, hospital or the Banff Centre.
Waltmann noted the federal government capped commercial development in the town at 361,390 square metres and the town anticipates it will reach that within five years.
Poole acknowledges it’s difficult for town and Parks officials to manage conflicting demands in a small town where everyone knows each other and no one wants to be heavy-handed.
But if neither will act to halt what he believes is inevitable, Poole is asking the federal environment minister to step in.
“It’s time to lift our foot off the pedal and put on the brake before we crash.”
In terms of population numbers, the goal is to have a healthy and vibrant community in Banff National Park.