Public Hearings

View Notices of Scheduled Public Hearings

What is a Public Hearing?

Public Hearings provide an opportunity for members of the public to speak to Council on proposed planning and development matters. Public hearings are formal hearings that must follow rules set out by provincial and local legislation. Comments may be submitted in writing or verbally during the hearing, and Council can ask questions of the people who are present. Anyone may speak during a public hearing.

How do I obtain information on scheduled items?

When items are scheduled for public hearing, copies of a proposed bylaw can be viewed:

  • online at Bylaw Reviews
  • in person at Banff Town Hall, 110 Bear Street, Banff
  • at the Council meeting

Council agendas and reports can be found in advance of the meeting online or at Banff Town Hall.

Documents can be inspected at the Town Hall (110 Bear Street) during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday - excluding statutory holidays). 

Where are Pubic Hearing held?

Public Hearings are held in Council Chambers, in Banff Town Hall, 110 Bear Street, Banff. Alberta. Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe.

How do I register to speak?
To speak to Council at a Public Hearing, you may call 403-762-1209 to register up until the (business) day before the hearing, or you may identify your wish to speak at the meeting. People registered to speak will be heard first. To ensure everyone an equal opportunity to speak, presentation time is limited to five minutes.

What if I cannot attend the meeting? 
If you are unable to attend a public hearing, you can participate in the process by submitting your comments in writing to: email Municipal Clerk

In Person/ By Mail:
Town of Banff
110 Bear Street
Box 1260
Banff, AB T1L 1A1

Digital submissions are encouraged. All submissions to a public hearing must be received prior to, or during, a hearing. Submissions cannot be made following the conclusions of public representations.

All submissions become public documents and persons may want to limit personal information provided.

What is an adjournment?
In some cases, a public hearing may be adjourned, which means that the hearing will reconvene at a later date. When it adjourns the hearing, Council will generally announce a date, time and place of reconvening. If not, the town will give notice of this information as thought the reconvened hearing were a new hearing.

What happens after a public hearing?
Once a public hearing has been adjourned, Council may not consider any further public input. This is to ensure all councillors receive the same information as part of their decision-making process. Any comments received after the hearing cannot be formally recognized by Council or become part of the public record. After the public hearing Council will decide to:

  • Make amendments (if necessary) and pass the bylaw
  • Defeat the bylaw
  • Postpone consideration of the bylaw to another date

Where can I find out more information?
If you have any questions regarding the bylaw, please call the Planning and Development Office at 403.762.1215. If you have any questions regarding registering to speak or meeting procedures, please email the Office of the Municipal Clerk or call 403.762.1209.