Maple Ridge residents want the jobs that could be created from the North 256 Street Industrial Lands Area Plan, but worry about traffic, the environment, and other concerns.
Those were some of the findings the City of Maple Ridge shared from the second phase of public engagement in the project. The light industrial are is designed to attract new businesses, create jobs, diversify the property tax base, and support long-term economic growth.
The community was invited to review and provide feedback on three draft concept area plan options. Most respondents indicated support for local job creation and diversifying the tax base, while key concerns and considerations included traffic, infrastructure, and the environment.
A strong majority of respondents agreed that creating and expanding employment-generating industrial lands is important for supporting local jobs, meeting regional demand, strengthening community well-being, and diversifying the community’s property tax base.
Concerns included:
• Road safety and traffic, especially on 256 Street and Dewdney Trunk Road. Many residents stressed road upgrades, such as the Abernethy Way extension and improved intersections, must occur before any development.
• Environmental protection, including protecting wildlife corridors, watercourses, wetlands, and preserving green space.
• Recreation users fear losing trails and natural areas currently used for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
• Infrastructure (water, sewer, drainage) must be in place before development, with requests for transparency around costs and responsibilities.
The concept that received the most support had a 100-metre-wide road greenway allowance, smaller industrial footprint, and stronger environmental protection.
More information about the project, including a full summary of the engagement results, is available in the ‘What We Learned’ report and graphic summary posted at Engage.MapleRidge.ca/256AreaPlan.
Residents, industry interest holders, and community groups provided feedback on three draft concept area plan options through an open house event, two interest holder meetings, and an online/print survey.
Staff will use feedback and ongoing technical analysis to refine the draft land use concept and prepare the Area Plan. The North 256 Street Industrial Lands Area Plan and associated Official Community Plan (OCP) amending bylaw will be shared with the community and brought to council in early 2026 for first and second readings, a public hearing, third reading, and referral to Metro Vancouver for regional approvals.
Located in northern Maple Ridge, the North 256 Street Industrial Lands are one of the city’s last major areas for new industrial development.
<!– OrYfoxazGZV Fp Y D –>