Maple Ridge, B.C., June 24, 2026 – Maple Ridge Council has approved amendments to the Official Community Plan (OCP) to create the North 256 Street Industrial Lands Area Plan—formalizing a new approximately 500-acre economic hub in northeast Maple Ridge that will help address the region’s shortage of industrial lands.
The North 256 Street Area Plan is a long-range planning framework that will support business investment, job creation, economic growth, and infrastructure needs, while protecting the environment, parkland, public access, and the existing land uses.
Located on both sides of 256 Street north of 128 Avenue, the area includes a mix of existing uses, including gravel extraction, institutional operations, and civic services. It is strategically located with access to key transportation routes, including Abernethy Way, Lougheed Highway, the Golden Ears Bridge, and the South Fraser Perimeter Road, making it one of Maple Ridge’s most significant, long-term employment land opportunities.
“Industrial land is in short supply across Metro Vancouver, and this plan helps Maple Ridge prepare for future business and employment growth in a thoughtful, long-term way,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “It supports local jobs, creates opportunities for future investment, and helps strengthen the City’s tax base so we can continue providing the services and amenities that our growing community needs.”
The Area Plan creates a framework for a modern light industrial employment area that recognizes the existing uses, environmental features, and recreational activities. Many properties within the plan are already used, zoned, or designated for industrial purposes.
The adoption of the new Area Plan establishes future land use designations but does not approve any construction or development projects. Future development proposals will require separate applications, technical studies, site level environmental reviews, and approvals.
The adoption follows approval from Metro Vancouver to ensure alignment with regional growth, infrastructure, and environmental planning policies.
“Industrial land scarcity is a regional economic challenge,” said Eric Aderneck, Industrial Lands Program Manager. “Planning ahead and protecting industrial lands is essential to attracting new investment to the community, supporting local jobs, and building long-term economic resilience. Industrial land planning helps create complete communities, where people have opportunities to both live and work.”
North 256 Street Industrial Lands Area Plan
The Area Plan establishes:
- a land use framework for light industrial, institutional, commercial, and conservation uses.
- a transportation and road network strategy, including interim improvements and continued phased extension of Abernethy Way.
- planning for water, sewer, and storm infrastructure investments that are needed to support development.
- environmental protection measures and recreational trails.
- urban design guidelines and development policies to guide high-quality, low-impact industrial uses and buildings.
The Area Plan is intended to:
- increase the supply of industrial land and development opportunities in Maple Ridge.
- support business investment and employment growth.
- strengthen the City’s property tax base to help fund services and amenities.
- align local land use planning with regional and provincial economic objectives.
- coordinate with future transportation and infrastructure investments.
- deliver long-term community-wide benefits.
Technical Analysis and Community Engagement
The City conducted a multi-phase planning and engagement process with opportunities for participation from local landowners and residents, First Nations, the business community, the public, and other interest holders. Engagement activities included open houses, a public hearing, and ongoing project updates through the City’s website.
Feedback showed support for local job creation and tax base diversification, along with concerns about traffic, timing of infrastructure, and environmental protection.
The Area Plan was also informed by technical studies addressing transportation, servicing, and the environment.
Next Steps
The Official Community Plan Amending Bylaw, adopted on June 23, 2026, introduces the North 256 Street Industrial Lands Area Plan into the OCP and provides a policy framework to guide future planning and development in the area, support future investments in water, sewer and road infrastructure, and protect the environment.
Project information, engagement results, and environmental assessment study are available at Engage.MapleRidge.ca/256AreaPlan.
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Media Contact
Pardeep Purewal, Senior Manager Corporate Communications and Public Engagement
T 604 466 4319 C 778 955 4249 E Media@MapleRidge.ca