Maple Ridge, B.C., April 15, 2025 — The City of Maple Ridge is inviting the community to help shape the future of the North 256 Street Industrial Lands as part of a new Area Plan aimed at attracting new businesses, creating jobs, diversifying the tax base, and supporting long-term economic growth.
Community engagement is now open and will run until May 14, 2025. Residents, businesses, and other interest holders are encouraged to share their feedback and learn more by attending the public open house on April 29 and completing a survey at Engage.MapleRidge.ca/256AreaPlan.
“We’re excited to kick off community engagement for the North 256 Street Industrial Lands,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “This is a bold step for Maple Ridge and the entire region. There’s a significant shortage of industrial land across Metro Vancouver and unlocking the potential of these lands will help address that gap, attract new businesses, create jobs, and diversify our tax base.”
On February 25, 2025, Council directed staff to begin planning for the area on both sides of 256 Street north of 128 Avenue. This marks the first phase of a 20-month process involving detailed site and natural assets analysis and engagement with landowners, businesses, residents, and interest holders to shape the new Industrial Lands Area Plan.
Located in the northern part of the community, the North 256 Street Industrial Lands represent one of the last large undeveloped industrial areas in Maple Ridge. The Area Plan will provide a framework to guide future land use, transportation connections, environmental protection, and infrastructure servicing to ensure that the area is developed in a coordinated and sustainable way.
Benefits of the Area Plan
The North 256 Street area includes some existing uses such as gravel extraction and institutional operations. The new plan will guide modern light industrial development while recognizing the existing uses, protecting environmental features and parkland, and addressing the area’s needed infrastructure.
Key benefits include:
- Expanding the City’s industrial land to meet growing demand
- Attracting new business investment and employment opportunities
- Increasing municipal revenues through industrial property taxes
- Improving roads, servicing, and transportation access
Planned infrastructure improvements include road upgrades, extensions, and expanded sanitary sewer, water, and stormwater services. The City is also advancing Maple Ridge Moves, a transportation plan that supports the North 256 Street Industrial Lands Area Plan through expanded transit, road upgrades, and improved connections between employment lands, housing, and recreation.
“We’re working with the provincial and federal governments to secure funding for these improvements, ensuring the area grows in a way that supports economic activity while protecting the environment and keeping goods and people moving in Maple Ridge efficiently,” said Mayor Ruimy. “It’s important that we hear from the community to help shape this new area plan.”
The engagement process will help City staff better understand community priorities, challenges, and opportunities in the area. The input received will inform draft planning concepts, which will be shared in a second phase of engagement later this year.
How to Get Involved:
Community members are encouraged to share their ideas and feedback by May 14, 2025.
- Online Survey: Available from April 14 – May 14 at Engage.MapleRidge.ca/256AreaPlan. Printed copies available by contacting City Hall.
- Public Open House: Join us to learn more and share feedback.
- Tuesday, April 29, 2025, 4:30 – 7:00 p.m.
- Maple Ridge Library, 22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd – Fraser Room, Second Floor
In addition to the broader public engagement, the City will also be working with other agencies and governments, First Nations, environmental and recreational groups, and interest holders to help shape the plan.
Next Steps
The North 256 Street Industrial Lands Area Plan is expected to be completed by late 2026, including necessary amendments to the Official Community Plan and the Regional Growth Strategy.
For more information about the North 256 Street Industrial Lands Area Plan project and the opportunities for engagement, visit Engage.MapleRidge.ca/256AreaPlan or contact Eric Aderneck, Industrial Lands Program Manager, at EAderneck@MapleRidge.ca or 604-721-5528.
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Pardeep Purewal
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T: 604-466-4319 | C: 778-955-4249
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