FAQs

Area redevelopment plans are planning documents which set out land use policies and other programs that help guide the redevelopment of existing, developed or previously disturbed areas in a community which are in need of some form of rehabilitation.

The area redevelopment plan (ARP) guides land use planning by: 

• describing the objectives of the plan and how they are to be achieved;
• establishing land uses and development standards for the redevelopment of the area;
• preserving buildings in the area;
• removing buildings from the area;
• constructing or replacing buildings in the area; 
• establishing, improving or relocating roads, public utilities or other services in the area;
• facilitating any other development in the area; and
• any other proposals that council considers necessary.

National park communities like the town of Banff play an important role in providing services for the park’s visitors as well as a comfortable living environment for eligible residents in a way that respects the broader park objectives and the environment. 

It is Parks Canada's responsibility as the federal land manager and regulator in Banff National Park to ensure that any area redevelopment plan conform with the park management plan, applicable legislation, and the Town of Banff Incorporation Agreement.

Parks Canada's role in this process includes: providing feedback to the Town of Banff in the development of their ARP, reviewing the Council-approved ARP, facilitating a 30-day national engagement on the Terms of Reference for the Strategic Environmental Assessment, facilitating a 60-day national engagement on the Strategic Environmental Assessment, and providing the determination of impacts on the ARP to the Town of Banff pending the completion of the Strategic Environmental Assessment. Parks Canada will create a decision package for the Minister based on the findings of the assessment and engagement processes. 

The purpose of an SEA is incorporate environmental considerations into the development of public policies, plans, and program proposal to support environmentally-sound decision making. 

Cumulative effects occur when multiple human activities and natural processes impact the same aspect of the environment. Cumulative effects within a national park may arise from infrastructure, activities or strategies within the park, pressures associated with visitation, climate change, and/or from sources originating outside park.

National parks are dedicated to the people of Canada for their benefit, education, and enjoyment, so it is important for Parks Canada to hear about what is important to you. Your ideas are considered and reflected to the degree possible in developing the documents, which will guide our decisions and approaches for the foreseeable future.

You can get involved by:

1. Leaving a comment and/or responding to the survey on the www.letstalkmountainparks.ca website
2. Emailing your comments, ideas, or questions to opinion@pc.gc.ca 
3. Sending your input via regular mail to: Office of the Superintendent, Parks Canada - Banff Field Unit P.O. Box 900, Banff, AB T1L 1K2