Maple Ridge council is making changes to ensure builders are creating units large enough to be homes for families.
City councillors have often raised concerns about planned apartment buildings during the past term, when some have been designed with too many one-bedroom and bachelor units, and not enough units that could house a small family.
Council adopted the new Inclusive Housing Unit Mix Policy, designed to expand options for families, support multi-generational living, and allow aging at home in high-growth areas.
Coun. Jenny Tan spoke in support of the plan, calling it “a fantastic start,” and said council can go even further.
“I live in one of those apartment buildings in the town centre, and it is absolutely a delight to see seniors and families, and I look out my window and little kids with backpacks headed to school…” she said.
“They’re able to live there, because the units are big enough for them.”
She said the policy is a good start, but noted the city’s housing needs report shows Maple ridge needs less than half of new units as studio or one-bedroom apartments, and more two and three bedrooms.
Coun. Judy Dueck noted some developers have reported difficulties in selling three bedroom apartments, but “overall we’re on the right path.”
A release by the city notes Maple Ridge attracts families because of its natural setting, schools, recreation opportunities, and relative affordability. However, rising housing costs and limited housing choices have put increasing pressure on local households.
“Council’s adoption of this policy is an important step towards making sure Maple Ridge remains a community where people can continue to live, grow, and thrive at every stage of life,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “Families, seniors, and multigenerational households need more housing options, and this policy gives people more choice as we build a community for all.”
The City’s Housing Needs Report identified a significant shortage of affordable family-sized housing, especially homes with three or more bedrooms. It found many households cannot afford a ground-oriented home without spending up to half of their income on housing, while recent development applications have increasingly focused on providing smaller studio and one-bedroom units.
The policy applies to new multi-unit residential and mixed-use developments that propose more than 20 units in the Town Centre and Lougheed Transit Corridor plan areas.
The policy will require at least 40 per cent of the total units being two-bedroom units or larger.
All residential units in new apartment and mixed-use developments city-wide must be at least 350 square feet.
At least 10 per cent of total units must be three-bedroom units or larger, three-bedroom units with lock-off suites, or adaptable two-bedroom units or larger.
Affordable below-market housing, transitional housing, and special-needs housing are exempt from the unit-mix percentage requirements of the Policy.
“By encouraging more two and three-bedroom homes in apartment and mixed-use developments, this policy helps create more housing choice in walkable, transit-supportive neighbourhoods,” said James Stiver, director of planning and building. “It also helps address the growing need in the community for housing choice, and supports broader community goals around affordability, inclusivity, and complete communities.”