BHC eyes Alberta health lands

Banff Housing Corporation is showing preliminary interest in three vacant lots owned by Alberta Health Services that are going up for sale on Banff Avenue.

At a Jan. 13 BHC board of directors meeting, administration delivered a brief report on the ‘potential development opportunities’ of vacant health unit lands by the high school.

The issue was discussed in camera because it affects the value of land.

But the board did ask administration to let the health authority know they were interested in obtaining information on the three lots as it becomes available and to be included in any mailouts.

Councillor Paul Baxter, chairman of the BHC board, said the Town of Banff was made aware the lands were coming up for sale during the 2012 operating budget process in November.

“The board has said, ‘yes, let’s be diligent as we would be with any lands that may become available’,” he said.

“Let’s make sure we’re communicating with those people so we don’t miss any potential opportunities.”

The lots at 344, 346 and 348 Banff Avenue were purchased by the Banff National Park Health Unit, the predecessor to Alberta Health Services, in 1990. The intention was to build a public health clinic.

Since that time, though, the three lots have sat empty.

According to a Nov. 25, 2011 letter to the Town of Banff from Alberta Health Services regarding taxation discussions, they no longer have any plans to build a public health clinic there.

“Recent internal discussion has finally led to the decision to sell the land by the end of 2012,” said Shannon Hennig, Alberta Health Service’s leasing co-ordinator in a letter to council.

“We are currently gathering all necessary internal approvals for the sale to proceed and intend to utilize the services of a real estate broker familiar with the Banff area to market the property to interested parties.”

The health unit lands were rezoned from public service to residential as part of Phase 1 of the Land Use Bylaw review in 2010.