Banff pedestrian zone closing after September long weekend

Banff’s downtown pedestrian zone will reopen to vehicles after the September Labour Day long weekend.

On Monday (Aug. 26), council passed second and third readings of the necessary bylaw to close the pedestrian zone on the 100 and 200 blocks of Banff Avenue as well as Caribou Street following an Aug. 12 binding vote of the electorate in which residents voted down the pedestrian zone.

The Town of Banff was already in the early stages of dismantling the pedestrian zone, but Coun. Kaylee Ram successfully convinced most of her colleagues to extend the end date until Sept. 3 to allow extra time to reset traffic signals to accommodate traffic and pedestrian crossings.

“We all know what a long weekend looks like and I fear that we are going to have that much more build-up and congestion in all streets, across the bridge, all the way up Mountain Avenue, down every single street, and it just creates a bad experience for residents and visitors alike,” she said.

“Additionally, we know and we talk about how this is extremely divisive and I think we can all inevitably agree that the result is what it is and now is a time for healing.”

Official results of the binding plebiscite showed 1,328 votes against and 1,194 in support.

Council made a decision to hold a vote of the electorate after a legal petition secured more than 1,000 signatures from residents opposed to the vehicle-free zone – more than the 10 per cent of the population required for the petition to be valid under the Municipal Government Act.

Residents’ concerns included blocking the town’s main arterial road, traffic congestion on residential streets, interference with evacuation routes, extra demands on housing from additional commercial activity, conflicts with Parks Canada’s commercial cap, and business inequity.

Banff and Lake Louise Hospitality Association (BLLHA) asked council for an extension to the timelines for dismantling the pedestrian zone until Sept. 9/10.

Mike Kelly, executive director of BLLHA, said the group recognizes the importance of adhering to the results of the vote, but said the transition should be done in a manner that minimizes potential disruptions for residents, visitors, and Banff businesses.

He said the Town of Banff’s data points to real concerns about the potential for significant traffic delays of more than 30 minutes without the pedestrian zone, noting Banff is expecting about 30,000 vehicles a day over the long weekend.

“If there isn’t full confidence in the current traffic management strategies, with a reopened Banff Avenue, then reopening the street during the following week – which typically sees 10-15 per cent fewer vehicles than the final week of August – would be advisable,” he said.

“This would allow adjustments to be made without the additional pressure of public dissatisfaction and further community angst during a vital long weekend. Public understanding on all sides of the debate and Banff's reputation would likely not be enhanced by risking significant delays as the road and transit systems readjust.”

Kelly said the final week of August can be challenging for operators because part of the labour force returns to school, noting an additional week would improve the ability of operators to effectively manage the closure and adjust employee schedules.

“This is an operational decision not directed by the MGA, and a smooth transition with minimal disruption must be the highest priority,” he said.

Leslie Taylor, who spearheaded the petition and the group Banffites for a Comfortable Living Community (BFCLC), said she could not speak for all of the “no” voters, but did speak to a substantial number of the group’s volunteers and donors for their reaction to BLLHA’s request.

“The conclusion from this group is that they would not object to this brief extension, since it remains within the 30 days that council has to respond to the results of the August 12 vote,” she said.  

Taylor said BFCLC has always wanted to minimize any disruption involved in this changeover.

“As you’ll recall, we worked very hard to get our petition in well before its deadline, in the hope that this would enable a vote before the summer began,” she said.

"In the same spirit of community and cooperation, we would like to advise council that BFCLC, the organizers of the “no” campaign, do not object to this request by BLLHA.”

Mayor Corrie DiManno and Coun. Barb Pelham, both strong supporters of the pedestrian zone, voted against keeping the car-free zone open until the long weekend because of the plebiscite results, preferring it be dismantled this week.

“I can’t in good conscience support this timeline. I gave my word to folks who were planning to vote against it that I would support removing it as quickly as possible,” said the mayor.

“I echoed this sentiment in media statements after the vote as well. I need to uphold the commitment I made to these residents and to the broader public.”

The Banff Avenue pedestrian zone started in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic social distancing requirements. Having outdoor seating allowed restaurants to stay in business while observing COVID protocols.

It is estimated there are about 30,000 pedestrians on most days in downtown Banff.

The downtown pedestrian zone also includes Caribou Street businesses and council has asked administration to return to 2025 service review and budget with a report regarding sidewalk patio options for Caribou Street next year.

Shawn Birch, president and CEO of Banff Lodging Co., said Caribou Street businesses will be left behind unless council decides to allocate resources to address the fallout from the “no” vote on the pedestrian zone.

“Caribou Street will feel out of place compared to Wolf Street and Bear Street if nothing is done. Town of Banff council needs to address this new reality of no pedestrian zone while still aligning these important side streets together,” he said.

“With the impending construction, Caribou Street needs all the help it can get in order to weather the upcoming disruption during construction. Give Caribou Street the best chance to succeed this fall and summer 2025.”