Maple Ridge council clears way for 28-unit townhouse development on Patterson Avenue

A new 28-unit townhouse development in west Maple Ridge is moving ahead after council unanimously approved key permits tied to the project earlier this week.

On March 24, council gave the green light to both a development permit and a development variance permit for three properties on the 22000 block of Patterson Avenue, paving the way for a multi-building townhouse complex in the Hammond neighbourhood.

The development will bring eight buildings containing a mix of triplex and fourplex units, all three storeys in height. Each home would include three bedrooms, with garages at grade and living spaces above.

City staff said the project aligns with the area’s designation for medium-density residential use and reflects broader planning changes tied to the Lougheed Transit Corridor Area Plan, which supports higher-density housing forms along key transportation routes.

The site, currently vacant but previously used for single-family homes, sits near Lougheed Highway and 203 Street – an area identified as being in transition as new development moves in. 

An 88-unit apartment project was approved nearby in 2025, underscoring the shift toward denser housing in the corridor.

As part of its approval, council endorsed several variances to zoning and parking requirements, including reduced building setbacks, a slight increase in height for one building, and a narrower vehicle maneuvering aisle within the development.

Staff supported the changes, noting they are minor and would not significantly impact surrounding properties. 

The reduced setbacks, for example, are offset by design features such as landscaped buffers and private outdoor spaces, while the height increase, between 9.5 metres to 9.7 metres, applies only to an interior building and is tied to rooftop patio design.

The development will include a central outdoor amenity space with seating, along with private yards or rooftop patios for each unit. 

Six visitor parking spaces are also planned, alongside garage parking for residents and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

A development information meeting held in December 2024 drew limited attendance, with a handful of residents raising concerns about traffic, school capacity and neighbourhood fit. According to the city, no additional feedback was received following formal notification of the variance application.

Planning staff said the project meets the city’s development permit guidelines for the Hammond area, including requirements around design compatibility, pedestrian orientation and landscaping.

The rezoning required to allow the townhouse use is expected to come before council for final adoption later this month.