The City of Maple Ridge is officially launching Velocity Enhanced Development Approvals, a first-of-its-kind program in B.C. that is designed to help progress development projects that advance city priorities, including affordable and transit-oriented housing, local jobs, business investment, and vibrant neighbourhoods.
The program provides eligible applicants with a dedicated city contact and an integrated approvals team to help navigate complex planning processes, such as rezoning, development permits, subdivisions, and variances. This strategic oversight helps clarify requirements early, identify issues sooner, improve coordination across city departments, and keep applications moving. It is one example of how the city is taking a bold and innovative approach to reduce red tape and help ensure new developments that advance the city’s priority objectives also meet community needs.
“Maple Ridge is one of the fastest-growing communities in British Columbia, and we need housing, local jobs, and services to keep pace,” said Mayor Dan Ruimy. “Velocity is another program in a suite of initiatives designed to modernize our approval processes, reduce red tape and make Maple Ridge more competitive for investment. By bringing the right people together early, we can move projects that deliver real community benefits forward more efficiently, without lowering the standards or community expectations residents count on.”
Development applications are screened for eligibility during the regular intake process for planning applications. Projects are considered based on their strategic significance, complexity and coordination requirements, value-add opportunities, applicant readiness, and available capacity. The city will contact applicants when their projects may be a fit.
Qualifying projects must demonstrate high value to the community, including developments that advance the city’s strategic growth priorities, generate employment and investment, fill gaps in the city’s land use, and/or contribute to the community’s liveability and vibrancy.
