Approaching commercial build-out, a gateway community to the Canadian Rockies looks for ways to keep it local by limiting multinational firms.
"With commercial build-out expected in 2006, coupled with market trends, municipal officials say concerns have been raised that local community stores could be priced out and replaced by chain stores.... 'Banff is so special and there's a feeling we should be doing as much as we can to maintain our sense of place and character,' [Planning and development manager Randall McKay] said.... 'But people are concerned about corporate branding of place. I think it's important to maintain a sense of place and have some control over that if you want a very unique visitor experience."
Thanks to John C. Shepard, AICP
FULL STORY: Banff fears 'corporate branding' of resort

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Bend, Oregon Zoning Reforms Prioritize Small-Scale Housing
The city altered its zoning code to allow multi-family housing and eliminated parking mandates citywide.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

LA Denies Basic Services to Unhoused Residents
The city has repeatedly failed to respond to requests for trash pickup at encampment sites, and eliminated a program that provided mobile showers and toilets.
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