Heritage Resource Action Plan

Banff’s built heritage resources play a critical role in the unique and diverse fabric of the town enjoyed and valued by visitors and residents alike. Despite this value, heritage assets continue to be under pressure, with many demolished or at risk, despite the rich history in the area and the dedication of the Banff Heritage Corporation and local heritage advocates.

The Town previously had tools in place to encourage conservation, such as a robust heritage inventory, and for those who pursue Municipal Historic Resource Designation, Matching Restoration/Rehabilitation Grant. The financial programs have been undersubscribed, and the loss of heritage buildings is still a major concern.

The Heritage Resource Action Plan identifies actionable solutions to further achieve the Town’s built heritage conservation goals over the next 5 to 10 years. These include policy changes, financial incentives, non-monetary encouragement, planning tools, facilitation services and partnerships with other organizations. All building types with heritage value within the Town of Banff’s boundaries, for example residential, institutional, commercial, are included.

The Heritage Resource Action Plan was approved by the Town of Banff Council on March 11, 2024. There are thirty-two tools and tactics recommended, that are separated into short, medium and longer-term actions.

Key highlights from the project:

•  Eight different engagement sessions were held, involving 104 participants. Engagement sessions targeted heritage building owners, heritage advocates, developers, relators, and tenants of heritage buildings. Administration met individually with heritage building owners who were not able to attend a session. 
•  88 of 178 (49%) properties on the Municipal Heritage Inventory were represented at the public engagement (56 heritage properties at the heritage property owner specific session, with 32 other heritage properties represented in other sessions). 
•  A survey was conducted, and 15 heritage property owners responded. 
•  96 ideas for tools and tactics were brainstormed by the engagement participants, consultant team and administration. Ideas were then consolidated where there were similarities, resulting in a total of 58 tools and tactics evaluated. 
• Recommended tools and tactics were assigned a timeline to build an achievable schedule for implementation: 9 tools could be implemented within one year, 21 could be implemented in two to four years, and 2 could be implemented in five or more 
• Tools and tactics were evaluated based on their simplicity, effectiveness, the ability to accommodate them within existing resources and the likelihood of acceptance by the community. 
• Those tools and tactics that require partnership with other organizations or orders of government are identified in the plan.

Implementation progress:

• Tactic 6: Increase grant amount and frequency for heritage conservation
  • On January 17, 2024, the Town of Banff budget was approved, offering an increased amount for the matching conservation grant for heritage projects. With the approval of the budget, this increases the grant offering from $25,000 to $125,000 for residential properties and $50,000 to $125,000 for nonresidential.

Updates to the Heritage Resource Management Policy are proposed in light of the increased grant amount. More information about that can be found at Financial Incentives.