BANFF – Banff’s elected officials have eased the heavy hammer on commercial construction hours on Saturdays.
On Tuesday (Oct. 10), council gave three readings to an amending bylaw to change construction hours on Saturdays from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.- 9 p.m. for a commercial operator, bringing the hours in line with neighbouring municipalities.
The update to the community standards bylaw also clarifies that there is no commercial construction on statutory holidays and it beefs up fines significantly for second and subsequent offences to $1,000 on violations.
Rick Williams, development compliance officer for the Town of Banff, said the Saturday hours were often questioned by businesses as they were out-of-step with neighbouring municipalities such as Jasper, Canmore, Cochrane and Calgary.
“The Saturday hours for a commercial operator changed to 7:30 a.m.-9 p.m. treats them the same as a Monday to Friday,” he said.
“The intent of that is to help construction contractors be more productive during their week with the hopes they will get projects done faster and in a more timely fashion.”
The owner and operator of Studio North, Matthew Kennedy, voiced support for the new construction hours and clarity around no commercial construction on statutory holidays, saying there is a need for policies that support the construction industry.
“Days in Banff are short, working hours between 7:30 a.m. and 9 p.m. align better with daylight most of the year and most trades do take statutory holidays,” said
Kennedy, who was also project manager for the municipality’s affordable housing development, The Aster, in a letter to council.
However, Kennedy said he believes the fine of $1,000 for a second and subsequent offences is “disproportionally punitive.” The first-offence fine remains $500.
“A fine of $250 for noise-related complaints appears to be more in line with addressing such infractions while ensuring a reasonable level of accountability,” he said.
Over the last three years, Banff’s municipal enforcement department has opened 11 files related to commercial construction noise and issued four violation penalties.
While most municipalities use increasing fines to address repeat offenders, the bylaw does not increase penalties for subsequent offences.
“This is generally regarded as ineffective in achieving compliance with the bylaw,” Williams said.
Commercial construction noise is not permitted on New Year's Day, Alberta Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Remembrance Day, and Christmas Day.
Coun. Barb Pelham was successful in her move to add National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to the holiday list.
“We started this meeting with our land acknowledgement and I think this is one small way of putting this acknowledgement into our lives and acknowledging the importance of the day,” she said.
