City of Maple Ridge Acknowledges Port Haney Designated a Transit Oriented Area
- Port Haney Land Assembly
- Jun 11, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: 19 minutes ago
Click link above to go to City of Maple Website or read below.
New Provincial Housing Legislation
Legislation introduced by the Provincial Government and effective as of November 30, 2023, aims to strengthen the housing supply throughout British Columbia. These changes cover regulations concerning Transit-Oriented Areas, Development Financing Tools, and the permission for Small-Scale Multi-Unit housing units within single-family and duplex zoned lots. These changes require adjustments to Maple Ridge's municipal regulations to align with the provincial mandates.
What It Means for Maple Ridge
The new legislation is part of the Province's Homes for People Housing Action Plan and is intended to bring more homes to market faster by allowing an increase in the number and diversity of homes that can be built in single-family neighbourhoods and near transit corridors.
It proposes significant changes in how Maple Ridge and all other municipalities across British Columbia approach planning, evaluation, and approval of development and growth within the community.
Key Changes
To meet the new provincial legislation requirements, the City’s updated bylaws will include changes to permitted density, maximum height, minimum setbacks, parking requirements, lot coverage, and other land use controls. Changes include:
allowing up to four or six units of small-scale, multi-unit housing (SSMUH) on single-family and duplex lots (e.g., secondary suites, detached garden suites, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes)
creating designated areas around key transit centres to become mixed-use, complete communities
no longer allowing public hearings for residential projects that align with the Official Community Plan and did not receive first reading prior to November 30, 2023
Housing Needs Report
The new legislation also requires the City to provide a 20-year Housing Needs Report that supports the growth of the community that is endorsed by Council by December 31, 2024. The Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw will then be updated by December 31, 2025 to reflect the City’s projected housing needs.
New Transit-Oriented Areas (TOA)
A Transit-Oriented Area (TOA) is a designated area within a prescribed distance around a transit centre. Development of these areas is intended to provide a diversity of housing options, access to a variety of amenities, and enable greater mobility options.
In Maple Ridge, the Province has identified three TOAs:
Port Haney Station
Maple Meadows Station
Haney Place Transit Exchange
The City is required to designate an area around these stations where zoning bylaws, parking regulations, and minimum height and density requirements will be updated. A 400-meter radius around Port Haney Station was already designated a TOA, while Maple Meadows and Haney Place were designated in June 2024.
Public Hearings
Under the new provincial legislation, public hearings will no longer be held for rezoning of residential developments that align with the Official Community Plan. As public hearings become less frequent, the City is reviewing other options to obtain community input and strengthen the public feedback process.
Maintaining the Character of Maple Ridge
While these changes affect how the City plans, considers, and approves development and growth, the City will continue to have Form and Character development permits, and development permit guidelines for protection of the environment and protection from natural hazards will continue to apply to new development.
Timeline
Local governments (including the City of Maple Ridge) have a series of upcoming deadlines over the next two years to update existing regulations to align with these new provincial requirements.
June 30, 2024: Zoning Bylaw amendments related to Small-Scale Multi-Unit housing to be adopted and Transit-Oriented Areas (TOA) designated
January 1, 2025: Interim Housing Needs Report to be adopted
December 31, 2025: First review and update of Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw to align with interim Housing Needs Report
The City will continue to provide updates on these initiatives and changes.
Will up to 4 housing units be allowed on my property?
A: If your property is zoned for single-family or duplex housing you probably have the option of having up to 4 housing units allowed on it.
Up to 4 housing units will be allowed on properties that meet the following criteria:
Located inside the City’s Urban Area Boundary
Zoned for single-family or duplex housing
Less than 4,050 m² (43,594 ft²)
Not subject to an exemption
What must the City allow because of the new housing rules?
A: By June 30, 2024, on properties inside the Urban Area Boundary that are zoned for single-family dwellings or duplexes, the City must allow the following:
up to 3 units on lots less than or equal to 280 m² (3,014 ft²);
up to 4 units on lots greater than 280 m²; and
up to 6 units on lots greater than or equal to 281 m² and within 400 metres of a bus stop identified by the Province.
In addition, the City must allow an accessory dwelling unit, like secondary suite or detached garden suite, in all zones that allow a single-family dwelling, including outside the Urban Area Boundary.
Will single-family housing still be allowed?
A: Yes. Single-family housing will continue to be allowed in Maple Ridge under the new housing rules. However, property owners will have the option to build additional housing units on most single-family properties, expanding housing options while still permitting single-family homes as before.
What will the parking requirements be for the new housing rules?
A: The City is developing the parking requirements for the new housing rules. Parking will be considered and adopted by Council, based on best practice, provincial legislation, and the context of Maple Ridge.
Will the new housing rules affect City infrastructure?
A: The new housing rules may increase the demand on City infrastructure in some neighbourhoods. The City uses Development Cost Charges (DCCs) to ensure that new development pays for the infrastructure that it requires. This means that if new infrastructure is required to support new housing, it will be paid for by developers and property owners who wish to build new housing.
Commitment to Providing Affordable Housing
Other initiatives the City is working on to help address housing needs in our community include:
implementing a program to redesign internal processes to be more efficient and to ensure that the City is doing its part to expedite housing approvals
completing a housing needs assessment and updating the City’s Housing Needs Report
continuing progress on the City’s new Housing Strategy
the "Maple Ridge Moves" transportation plan to expand our road infrastructure and make room for more public transit and build a strong economy
Contact
If you have questions regarding the changes the City is making to meet the requirements of the provincial housing legislation, please contact the Planning department at Planning@MapleRidge.ca.
Resources
The Province has provided resources to support municipalities in navigating these legislative changes.
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/local-governments-and-housing/housing-initiatives
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