Proposed Change to Regional Land Use: North 256 Street Industrial Land in Maple Ridge

For some time, I’ve been following proposed regional land-use changes in Metro Vancouver. All Official Community Plans in our region, including land-use, must be consistent with the Regional Growth Strategy. The overall goals of that strategy are to create a compact urban area; support a sustainable economy; protect the environment, address climate change, and respond to natural hazards; and develop complete communities.

The City of Maple Ridge is proposing changes to its Official Community Plan in an area called the North 256 Street Industrial Land, as shown in the following map.

Map of North 256 Street Industrial Land in Maple Ridge. Select the image to enlarge.

Maple Ridge is proposing to convert 277 hectares of regional rural land (about half the size of White Rock) to 198 hectares of regional industrial land and 79 hectares of conservation/recreation land, as shown on the following maps.

Current Regional Land-Use Designation. Select the image to enlarge.

Proposed Regional Land-Use Designation by Maple Ridge. Select the image to enlarge.

Metro Vancouver staff noted that the proposal would increase the supply of much-needed designated industrial land and protect mature forested areas. They also noted that it would create an urban area outside the existing Urban Containment Boundary and would result in the loss of tree canopy. They also noted this is in an area with many natural hazards. Metro Vancouver staff noted that it may increase speculation in converting other rural lands in other parts of the region. Regional staff stated, “On balance, the proposed amendment is supportable, however, it does involve several trade-offs.”

As this is a significant change to the Regional Growth Strategy’s land-use, it will require a two-thirds weighted vote of the Metro Vancouver Regional District board to be approved. If the board decides to move forward with this proposal, there will be an opportunity for feedback, including from member municipalities such as Langley City, before final approval is considered.

How You Can Support the Good Work of the Langley Animal Protection Society

Langley Animal Protection Society (LAPS) is the long-term provider of animal control and shelter service in Langley City. Recently, the City and LAPS entered into a new and enhanced service agreement, which you can read about in a previous post.

LAPS is run by animal lovers and relies on the support of other animal lovers in our community to support their good work. One direct way to make a positive impact on animals in our community is to donate to LAPS. Some of the unique programs LAPS provides include assistance for pets with low or no-income owners, as well as their specialized cat program.

I’ve been learning a lot about animal control and shelter services lately, and I wanted to note that LAPS recently posted a Frequently Asked Questions page on their website. I encourage you to read it, especially if you have questions about the shelter services that LAPS provides.

LAPS uses foster caregivers to provide longer-term homes for animals awaiting a permanent home. Have you ever thought about being a foster cat or dog parent? If so, I encourage you to check out LAP’s Animal Foster Program.

I am a proud turtle parent. While having a pet in your home does come with responsibility, I know the joy it brings as well.

If you love animals, I strongly encourage you to consider supporting LAPS's good work if you can.

Langley City Wants Provincial Action on Micro E-mobility Safety and Use

Langley City is a member of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, which is the voice of local government in the Squamish-Lillooet, Metro Vancouver, and the Fraser Valley Regional Districts. Member local governments represent about 60% of BC's population.

Langley City Councillor Paul Albrecht is the President of the Lower Mainland Local Government Association, and I’m the Metro Vancouver Regional District representative on its board.

Every year, the Lower Mainland Local Government Association holds a conference and annual general meeting in the spring. One key part of that conference is for conference attendees to debate motions submitted by member local governments, which generally call on the provincial government to take some action. Motions that the majority of the attendees agree with help inform the Lower Mainland Local Government Association's advocacy efforts and are also submitted for inclusion for debate at the annual Union of BC Municipalities conference later in the year.

Langley City Council approved sending the following motion for inclusion at the Local Government Association Conference.

WHEREAS the Motor Vehicle Act in British Columbia and associated regulations presently inhibit seniors and people with disabilities the ability to be active, independent, and engaged by prohibiting the use of electric wheelchairs and three or four wheeled personal mobility scooters on municipal bike and roll lanes and routes resulting in increased conflicts between these devices and pedestrians on sidewalks, multi-use pathways, and trails as well as motor vehicles.

AND WHEREAS the rapid growth of micro-mobility devices such as electric kick scooters and electric bikes dictates that the Province needs to regulate the use of such devices in the Motor Vehicle Act.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that LMLGA and UBCM advocate to the Province of British Columbia to amend the legislation and regulations within the Motor Vehicle Act to permanently enshrine a new class of Personal Mobility Devices and Micro-Mobility Devices and establish consistent, province-wide standards and regulations for the use of these devices on traffic-calmed public roads and cycling infrastructure across BC.

Micro E-mobility is the future, especially in an urban centre like Langley City. It is important that the provincial government have clear and consistent regulations. The current system is a patchwork and doesn’t include all the different types of micro e-mobility devices on the market today. This makes it next to impossible for police to enforce standards and for local government to provide infrastructure to accommodate these devices, ensuring that everyone remains safe.

February 23 Council Notes: Food Tech, Development, Public Safety, and Langley Senior Resource & Recreation Centre Liquor Service

Langley City Council received an update on our Economic Development Strategy, which focuses on Food Tech. Council recently completed an advocacy mission to Ottawa, and one of our big pushes was for federal support for a Langley City Food Tech Hub centred around the good work at Kwantlen Polytechnic University.

Over the last year in Langley City, the number of business licenses has increased by 5%, and the number within the food and beverage category has increased by 15%. This is one of our key economic measures.

In support of a Food Tech Hub, the City is also working through planning for the Glover Road Innovation District. Council received an update on some of the marketing work for the new district.

Council received a presentation from Invest Vancouver, the overall economic development organization for our region. They gave us a brief presentation on their work in Agritech and Food Tech. You can learn more on their website.

A few weeks ago, Council gave first, second, and third reading to a road closure bylaw to enable the sale of a small section of cul-de-sac right-of-way located at 200A Street and 45th Avenue, which is no longer required. Over the last few weeks, people had the opportunity to provide written feedback on the closure, or to attend in person yesterday to provide their feedback. Council did not receive any feedback and gave the bylaw a final reading to enable the road closure.

Council gave final reading to a radio amplification bylaw that will enable the City to require equipment to be installed in concrete areas of buildings where first responder radios do not work (such as underground parking). You can read more about this in a previous post.

Council also gave third and final reading to a rezoning bylaw to enable liquor service at the Langley Senior Resource & Recreation Centre to support their growing catering and hall rental business, which supports the good work of the organization. Council also approved informing the provincial Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch that we support their application for a liquor primary license and followed all due process in this determination.

Finally, Council approved a motion asking staff to explore improving the accuracy of closed captioning for our recorded and live-streamed meetings, as well as live captioning for in-person Council meetings, if it is doable within existing staff and financial resources, and report back if this is not possible. We heard that staff are already exploring ways to improve the accuracy of closed captioning.