Councillors wary about Albion residential developments as no schools nearby

During Tuesday’s Maple Ridge council meeting, two councillors expressed concerns regarding future residential developments in Albion as there are no educational facilities in proximity.

Council gave second reading to a rezoning that, if approved, would allow for 64 three-bedroom townhouses at 240 Street and 104 Avenue in the Albion area.

The three lots at 10420 and 10456 on 240 Street and 24027 on 104 Avenue are currently zoned for single family housing.

Read: Maple Ridge could see new residential and multi-use developments

Coun. Korleen Carreras pointed out that there are not enough schools in the vicinity to accommodate children of future residents.

“The townhouse complex makes sense because it’s turning into a family area but there are no schools for these families to go to,” said Carreras.

The nearest school to the proposed development is c̓əsqənelə Elementary on 24093 on 104 Avenue which opened in 2018.

But despite being a two-minute walk, the school does not have the capacity to accommodate more students.

The school has 612 students enrolled with a capacity of 611.

Residents will have to drive far east or west to bring their kids to school which works against the community we are trying to build, said Carreras.

Coun. Sunny Schiller echoed her colleague’s remarks.

“It’s hard to continue approving building family homes besides schools that don’t have room for children,” said Schiller.