A packed council chambers in Banff played host to a public hearing last Thursday (Jan. 31) concerning one of the more heated topics affecting the small mountain town – whether quotas should be put in place to regulate the number of chain stores.

Banff council passed first reading of proposed bylaw 314 this past September, which would create a quota system to control corporate or formula-based chain stores and restaurants in town.

As part of first reading, council was required to hold a formal public hearing before the issue is brought back at the next meeting on Feb. 25. Read the full story at the Rocky Mountain Outlook.