Council Urges Province to Match City’s Action on Housing with Investments in Critical Infrastructure
Maple Ridge, B.C., Sept. 17, 2025 – Maple Ridge is advancing coordinated updates to its Official Community Plan (OCP) and area plans this fall to meet provincial housing requirements, while Mayor and Council prepare to advocate for critical infrastructure investments at the UBCM Convention Sept. 22-26 in Victoria.
At Tuesday’s Council meeting, Council gave first reading to bylaw updates for the OCP and its area plans for Town Centre, Hammond, and Silver Valley, and second reading to the Albion Area Plan bylaw. Public hearings for the various updates will take place this fall.
“These updates aren’t just about meeting a provincial deadline—they’re about building the right mix of housing and making sure growth is supported by the roads, transit and amenities people rely on,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “Through Maple Ridge Moves, we’re calling for senior government investment in Abernethy Way, a new 240 Street bridge, Bus Rapid Transit on Lougheed Highway and other projects that unlock housing potential while making our community livable. We’ll be taking that message to the Union of BC Municipalities convention next week.”
A Strategic, Phased Approach
The City has been updating its OCP since 2014 to reflect community needs and growth and is now making targeted changes to meet the Dec. 31, 2025 provincial deadline for aligning land use policies with new housing legislation. A full OCP review is planned by 2030, drawing on 2026 Census data and broad public engagement. Since 2024, Maple Ridge has also been working to integrate provincial requirements with its own strategic priorities to expand housing diversity and supply.
Key requirements include:
- An Interim Housing Needs Report identifying Maple Ridge’s future needs, including 27,778 new homes by 2041 (completed).
- Bylaw changes to enable small-scale multi-unit housing (3–6 units on single-detached lots) and increase density near transit hubs (completed).
- OCP and area plan updates to integrate housing needs, including type, location and amount of new residential development (fall 2025).
- Zoning Bylaw updates to accommodate 20-year housing projections (fall 2025).
“Maple Ridge is growing at twice the national average, and we need to be ready to meet local housing needs and build a community for all,” noted Mayor Ruimy. “The City has stepped up to align with provincial requirements, streamline approvals, and focus growth in areas best served by transit, services, and amenities. Now we need senior government partners to match that commitment by investing in the critical infrastructure required to support this growth.”
Highlights of Fall 2025 Updates
- OCP Update: Brings policies in line with provincial requirements, adds direction on affordable housing, rentals, tenant protection, adaptable housing and family-sized units, and confirms sufficient land use capacity to meet the community’s 20-year housing needs.
- Town Centre Area Plan: Expands boundaries to include River Bend, consolidates land use for clarity, and supports higher-density, transit-oriented growth around Haney Transit Exchange and Port Haney Station.
- Hammond Area Plan: Directs growth around Maple Meadows Station, allows 8–12 storey mixed-use near transit, while protecting local jobs through employment lands.
- Silver Valley Area Plan: Modernizes the 2002 area plan with simplified designations, a zoning matrix, and new residential/mixed-use forms to support walkable neighbourhoods.
- Albion Area Plan: Strengthens local commercial nodes, walking and cycling connections, and integrates buffers next to farmland.
Public Engagement and Next Steps
Public engagement was undertaken earlier this year on the provincially mandated changes that will be reflected in the updated OCP, area plans and Zoning Bylaw. The draft bylaws are posted at MapleRidge.ca/OCPAreaPlans and will be referred to external agencies for comment.
The public will have the following opportunities to provide input:
- October - Albion Area Plan public hearing and third reading
- Early November – second reading for OCP and other area plans (Town Centre, Hammond, Silver Valley)
- Mid-November – public hearing for OCP and Town Centre, Hammond, Silver Valley Area Plans
- November/December – final readings (dates to be confirmed)
The City’s Housing Update is also anticipated to return for second reading and public hearing in November.
Learn More
Visit MapleRidge.ca/OCPAreaPlans to review reports, maps and timelines. Questions can be directed to Planning@MapleRidge.ca or 604-467-7341.
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Media contact:
Pardeep Purewal, Senior Manager Corporate Communications and Public Engagement
T 604 466 4319 C 778 955 4249 Media@MapleRidge.ca