How the City of Maple Ridge can best develop downtown properties including Cliff Avenue is the subject of a new survey.

The survey is available online, and residents can offer their opinions until Nov. 15 at noon.

A group of properties on Cliff, Selkirk and 119th Avenues are being looked at, for long-term planning, as the city reviews land use designations in its Town Centre area, between 221st and 222nd Streets.

The city notes that these properties are currently designated as single-family residential. The land lies in a transitional area that borders both the Town Centre and Lougheed Transit Corridor area plans. The Town Centre plan guides growth in the downtown area, while the Lougheed Transit Corridor plan sets out development along Lougheed Highway and Dewdney Trunk Road to the west of the Town Centre. The latter plan calls for higher density housing, with more focus on rapid transit service.

The city held an open house on Oct. 30 at the Maple Ridge Public Library to get public input.

The public was told the city sees development potential for Selkirk and 199th Avenues being multi-family residential buildings – townhouses and apartments. Building heights could reach 25 storeys, or higher where appropriate.

Future land use on Cliff Avenue being considered is low-rise apartments and commercial space.

Neil Corbett
Nov 5, 2023 8:00 PM

https://www.mapleridgenews.com/local-news/maple-ridge-changing-land-use-on-key-downtown-properties-6832025

Christmas Market 2023: Golden Ears United Church, 22165 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Baking, preserves, kraft korner, cookie bar, silent auction, vendors, and artisans. Info: goldenearsunited.ca.

Craft and Bake Sale: Haney Presbyterian Church, 11858 216th St., Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Decorations, sewing and knitting items for sale, soaps, baking, and more.

Christmas Crafts and More: Maple Ridge Alliance Church, 20399 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Nov. 18, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free admission, more than 50 vendors.

Pathfinders/Rangers Winter Market: Haney Presbyterian Church, 11858 216th St., Nov. 25, 1 to 5 p.m. Girl guides fundraiser, more than 50 vendors, draw prizes, book sales, concession, food trucks, and gift wrapping by donation.

Christmas Market: CEED Centre, 11739 223rd St., Nov. 25-26, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Local artists, gift basket draw, apple cider, sewn items for sale.

Thomas Haney Craft Fair: Thomas Haney Secondary, 23000 116th Ave., Nov. 25-26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 100 vendors, childcare by donation, and food trucks. Admission is $5, but kids 6 and younger are free.

Albion Holiday Craft Fair: Albion Community Centre, 23165 104th Ave., Nov. 26, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Charity raffle, Santa, food trucks, more than 116 vendors, and door prizes.

Christmas in Pitt Meadows: Spirit Square, 12027 Harris Rd., Dec. 1, 4 to 8 p.m. Decorations, vendors, Santa and Mrs. Claus pictures, hayride, food trucks, concession, road hockey, carolers, kid’s zone, live entertainment, and tree lighting. Info: pittmeadows.ca.

Winter Fest: Memorial Peace Park, 11930 224th St., Dec. 2, 4 to 8 p.m. Santa parade, light displays, food trucks, Christmas market, and kids games.

Teen Gingerbread House Building: Maple Ridge Public Library, 22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Dec. 5, 6 to 7:30 p.m. Ages 12 to 18, free gingerbread house building. Info: Maple Ridge Public Library Facebook page.

Seniors Christmas Party: Maple Ridge Public Library, 22470 Dewdney Trunk Rd., Dec. 6, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Silvertones Choir, light refreshments, holiday music. Registration required. Info: Maple Ridge Public Library Facebook page.

Holiday Ornament Making: Maple Ridge Museum, 22520 116th Ave., Dec. 9, 11 a.m. to noon and 1 to 2 p.m. Ages 5 and older, ornament building workshops, hot chocolate. Admission is $5 per child, registration required. Info: mapleridgemuseum.org/holiday-ornament-making.

CP Holiday Train: Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, various Westcoast Express stations, Dec. 17, varying times. Performances by Tyler Shaw and Kiesza. Info: cpkcr.com/en/community/HolidayTrain.

Pitt Meadows Winter Fair: Pitt Meadows Secondary, 19438 116B Ave., Dec. 18, 4:30 to 8 p.m. Cake walk, live music, auction, concession, kids games, and vendors.

Winter Wonderland Skate: Pitt Meadows Arena, 11435 Bonson Rd., Dec. 22-23, varying times. All-ages skating, decorations, selfie station, skate and helmet rentals. Admission is $2 per person. Info: pittmeadows.ca.

Boxing Day Skate: Plant Ice, 23588 105th Ave., Dec. 26, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. All-ages skating, face painting, hot chocolate and snacks, gift card draw. Admission by donation, with all proceeds going to Maple Ridge Kid Sport and BC Cancer Society. Info: Enhance Sport & Wellness Facebook page.

Have an upcoming holiday market or event?

Send the information to brandon.tucker@mapleridgenews.com.

https://www.mapleridgenews.com/local-news/get-into-the-holiday-season-with-these-maple-ridge-and-pitt-meadows-events-7109831

Langley and Maple Ridge will be connected by one of three fast bus lines announced by TransLink and local mayors on Thursday, Nov. 16.

The new local Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor will run from Langley City, likely up 200th Street, across the Golden Ears Bridge, and then east as far as Haney.

Exact routes have not been determined, TransLink’s announcement said.

The other routes include a King George Boulevard line running from Surrey Centre south to White Rock, and a corridor from Metrotown in Burnaby all the way to the North Shore.

The three corridors were selected based on ridership potential, feasibility of building the new infrastructure, and support from local governments.

Several mayors and councils in the areas, including in Langley and Maple Ridge, have been enthusiastic about the possibility of BRT service, with Maple Ridge actively lobbying just last month to be one of the first routes chosen to be built.

“We are thrilled about being announced as one of the first municipalities that is being awarded with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as planned in TransLink’s Access for Everyone plan,” Maple Ridge Mayor Dan Ruimy said, in a statement released by TransLink. “This means that the Langley – Haney Place, Maple Ridge line will be prioritized. From day one we have been working hard at both the staff and political levels to demonstrate that Maple Ridge is ready for more transit and will collaborate with our partners to get shovels in the ground.”

Eric Woodward, Mayor, Township of Langley

“As the largest municipality within Metro Vancouver without Rapid Transit service, the Township of Langley is long overdue for a significant investment in transit infrastructure from TransLink,” Mayor Eric Woodward of Langley Township said. “The Langley – Haney Place Bus Rapid Transit line is one of the best corridors to get going on right away, with so much growth, available right-of-way, and strong municipal support from us and Maple Ridge. TransLink has always had willing a partner for Bus Rapid Transit in the Township of Langley.”

TransLink announced last year that it was planning up to double regional bus service over the course of a decade, and that BRT systems would be a major part of that project.

A BRT line uses a dedicated lane for buses only, down major transit corridors. Bus riders are expected to pre-pay before boarding what “rail-like stations” that will have shelters.

TransLink said last year that it planned to serve its BRT routes with zero-emission buses.

READ MORE: Maple Ridge council unanimously votes to move forward with BRT plans

READ MORE: Langley Township wants TransLink to make fast buses on 200th Street a priority

Once in motion, the buses will have their own lanes and will have priority at traffic signals.

Planning work for the King George Boulevard and Langley to Haney corridors will be advanced, TransLink announced.

The Metrotown to Park Royal corridor will be immediately extended and upgraded, the announcement said.

These are the first three of nine proposed BRT corridors.

Exact alignments of the routes and total costs have not yet been determined. TransLink will also be looking for money from senior levels of government to pay for the projects.

Last year, TransLink estimated BRT would cost around $15 million per kilometre to build, compared to the approximately $400 million per kilometre for SkyTrain extensions that are also about to start construction.

Richmond once had a BRT-style line down Number Three Road, but the service was discontinued after the SkyTrain extension was built there.

The Author: Matthew Claxton