The District of Maple Ridge, engaged CitySpaces Consulting (and GP Rollo and Associates – GPRA) to investigate how an Amenity Zoning Strategy might use legislative planning powers towards assisting the District to balance community planning and public benefits.
Between 2006 and 2011, the population of Maple Ridge grew to 76,052, representing a 10.3% change (compared to the national average growth of 5.9%)1 – and continuing growth is expected. With growth comes pressure on existing community services, and typically, on municipalities to provide additional services. In the pursuit of livability, Maple Ridge was looking for ways to deliver amenities that are not attainable through Development Cost Charges and would not rely on increasing municipal taxes. Such amenities could take the form of affordable housing, community spaces, child care spaces, endowments or reserve funding, and at times, demonstrable sustainability improvements. Maple Ridge recognised that such public benefits contribute to the community’s character, its desirability as a place to live, and may even attract further investment and development.
Through the analysis and subsequent discussion of examples of “typical” development interest within the District, staff and the consultant team sought to address two key questions when approaching an Amenity Zoning:
1. Is there potential for the District to secure amenities through Amenity Zoning? and
2. If so, what level of amenity contribution is viable in Maple Ridge?
CitySpaces prepared a report bringing forward information and background about the amenity zoning powers available to a municipality towards balancing planning and community benefits. Further, through the use of infographics and mapped illustrations, the report sought to present a summary of the insights gained from the financial analysis contributing to a Council informed decision to launch a subsequent amenity pilot project in one of its growing neighbourhoods.
*Special note on infographs*:
CitySpaces has developed a series of infographics to help visualize the complexities of amenity zoning and the financial value associated with “land lift” – the financial value resulting from rezoning and increased floorspace / density.
PROJECT TEAM:
