Making changes to a BIA
Changing an established BIA’s name
The request must include:
- the current name,
- the desired name, and
- the name change rationale and
- supporting information of the board’s rationale.
- E.g. copies of resolutions, board minutes, discussion about benefits the name change will bring.
After submission, the name change request is presented to Council for their review and potential approval.
Changing an established BIA’s boundaries
The following information only applies to changes to boundaries of a BIA already established through a bylaw. The BIA Board must submit a map with the proposed new boundaries to The City on or before the last business day in March for consideration for approval for the following year.
-
Step 1
A desire to change a BIA's boundaries is expressed. The board's consent to make a boundary change, as per the BIA Regulation 93/2016 section 8(1)(a) and a map outlining the new boundaries must be provided to The City of Calgary on or before the last business day in March of the calendar year.
-
Step 2
The BIA notifies City Administration of the request to change the boundary. The request should be accompanied by a justification or declaration of reasonable cause for the boundary change, details outlining the proposed boundary change, and a statement outlining the consultation process.
-
Step 3
City Administration drafts a map detailing the requested BIA boundary change, provides the related business assessment data, drafts a proposed Bylaw setting out the change in boundaries and prepares a report for Council. Meetings will occur, as required, between Administration and the BIA Board/staff to complete these activities.
-
Step 4
Pursuant to the BIA Regulation, section 8(2), before the proposed bylaw receives second reading at Council, City Administration must ensure that a notice that meets the requirements of subsection (3) is mailed or delivered to every taxable business in the BIA and to every business that would be a taxable business under the change in boundaries.
-
Step 5
When the proposed bylaw is before Council, taxpayers in the BIA and would be taxpayers under the proposed change are provided with the opportunity to make representations in regards to the boundary change directly to Council, as per the BIA Regulation, section 8.1(b). The final decision with respect to the proposed change of BIA boundaries is made by Council.
Disestablishing a current BIA
To begin the process to disestablish a BIA, business taxpayers in a BIA must petition for a bylaw to disestablish. To be valid, the petition must be signed by taxpayers representing at least 25 per cent of the taxable businesses.
Following the petition, required steps include:
- confirmation of the petition (completed by The City), and
- first reading of the bylaw to disestablish the BIA.
After first reading, there are further specifications pertaining to a vote by the BIA taxpayers.
Please note: To disestablish a BIA, you must follow the steps outlined in the Business Improvement Area Regulation.
Note: This information has no legal status and cannot be used as an official interpretation of the regulations currently in effect. For detailed information, consult the Business Improvement Area Regulation - AR 03.2016.