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Chapter 9
Municipal
Services
Municipal Services
Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7060-2014 Chapter 9, Page 1
9.1 MUNICIPAL SERVICES
9.1.1 MUNICIPAL INFRASTRUCTURE
Refer to Figure 3 for information on Major Public Utilities
ISSUES
Municipalities should view infrastructure in the broad context that includes all related costs associated
with community or site-specific development. The capital costs of providing hard infrastructure
represent only a small portion of the fiscal issue related to land use. The recurring costs of
administration, maintenance, and delivery of community services, generally fully borne by the
municipality, represent 75% of the total cost of providing municipal infrastructure and services.
Municipalities do not always consider the long-term implications of recurring costs for capital
infrastructure expenditures for development. Using a life-cycle cost approach will take into account the
lifecycle or replacement cycle for the main expenditure categories of providing infrastructure.
The form or design of a community has broad implications to municipal costs and greatly affects the fiscal
performance (costs and revenues) of a development. Different forms of development have different
costs for the municipality.
Municipal tax structures oflen encourage low-density developments that typically result in high municipal
infrastructure costs. Implementing tax structures that reflect actual costs will foster more compact forms
of development.
Directing population growth and density within the Urban Area Boundary and the Town Centre is the
most efficient and economical method for providing and managing municipal services and infrastructure.
PRINCIPLES
The following principles reflect the shared community values of Maple Ridge residents and provide a
framework for the Municipal Services policies in the Official Community Plan:
Principle 12
Collaboration with other authorities, including but not limited to the ALC and Metro Vancouver, is
essential to ensuring that municipal objectives can be met.
Chapter 9, Page 2 Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7060-2014
Principle 36
Integrating growth with services, infrastructure, and schools is desirable for the future of Maple
Ridge. (also see Principles 38 and 44)
Principle 38
Expanding services concurrently with development is regarded by the community as good planning
and development practice.
OBJECTIVES
To minimize the cost of providing additional infrastructure, and to maximize the use of existing
infrastructure in accommodating future population growth.
To consider the long-term implications of recurring costs for planning and development initiatives by
minimizing municipal capital, replacement, operation and maintenance costs of servicing residential
development.
To generate sufficient revenues from all sources and maintain adequate reserve funds to pay for the
lifecycle and replacement costs of municipal infrastructure and community facilities.
POLICIES
9 - 1 Maple Ridge will maintain a contiguous Urban Area Boundary to help control the costs of
infrastructure construction.
9 - 2 Maple Ridge will consider the use of life cycle fiscal impact analysis (capital cost, replacement, and
annual operating and maintenance costs of municipal infrastructure, community service, and administration)
as a tool for assessing the fiscal performance of major development proposals, area plans, and Urban Area
Boundary adjustments.
9 - 3 Maple Ridge will consider establishing a separate Municipal Infrastructure Replacement Reserve Fund
to pay for the replacement of aging municipal infrastructure.
9 - 4 Maple Ridge has adopted and supports the Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Management Plan and will
comply with the policies contained within the Plan.
Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7060-2014 Chapter 9, Page 3
9.1.2 SEPTIC SYSTEMS
ISSUE
Private septic systems are used in the rural areas of Maple Ridge, and there is concern about their safety
and the possible impacts on health and the environment. Incidences of septic tank failures have resulted
in requests for the extension of public sewers, and are believed to be the source of high fecal coliform
levels in Kanaka Creek and other municipal watercourses.
OBJECTIVE
To establish and implement standards and guidelines for on-site septic disposal and waste water
treatment.
POLICIES
9 - 5 Maple Ridge will evaluate alternative, private on-site septic disposal and waste water treatment
methods and may consider approval of alternative treatment methods that are consistent with federal,
provincial, and Regional statutes based on their technical, operational, and financial merits.
9 - 6 Maple Ridge has adopted and supports the Metro Vancouver Liquid Waste Management Plan to
reduce the impact of residential, commercial, and industrial eftfuent on local water bodies.
9.1.3 WASTE REDUCTION AND RECYCLING
ISSUE
With increasing population and consumer demands, Maple Ridge is producing higher volumes of solid
waste, despite concerted recycling efforts by the District and partners.
OBJECTIVE
To encourage improved waste management practices and to work towards waste reduction, recycling
and reuse of materials.
Chapter 9, Page 4 Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7060-2014
POLICIES
9 - 7 Maple Ridge will encourage the reduction of solid waste generation by promoting the goal of working
toward zero waste which promotes source reduction, reuse, recycling and composting, and will continue to
participate in Regional and Provincial programs aimed at reducing waste generation.
9 - 8 Maple Ridge, in co-operation with Regional and Provincial authorities and agencies, will consider
providing a comprehensive recycling depot that accepts a wide range of commodities.
9 - 9 Maple Ridge will continue to promote waste reduction and to ensure responsible management of
District waste in its corporate practices, including the selection of products that contain recycled materials in
its purchasing practices.
9.1.4 CONTAMINATED SITES AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
ISSUES
Commercial and industrial activities may cause toxic substances such as PCBs, lead, cadmium, and
hydrocarbons to build up in the soil, surface water, and groundwater. Sites are considered contaminated
if these toxins are concentrated at levels that pose a threat to the environment or human health.
Due to the lack of a comprehensive management program to reduce, store, or manage hazardous
household wastes, deleterious substances such as solvents, pesticides, household cleaners, and
household batteries are entering our soils and watercourses.
Wood-waste from the manufacture of shakes and shingles were historically burned, used as hog fuel, or
buried in landfills adjacent to the Fraser River. The Albion area has an estimated 6 to 15 wood-waste
locations, which has the potential to produce toxic materials if the sites were to come into contact with
water.
Incidences of hazardous wastes entering the municipal sewage system are possible due to the lack of a
sufficient monitoring system in the District. Metals introduced into the collection infrastructure can
upset treatment systems and overflow into the environment. Non-domestic types of liquid wastes can be
minimized and pre-treated prior to entering the sewer system through source control programs.
OBJECTIVE
To prevent future contamination of air, water and land and to strive to mitigate sites that may contain
hazardous substances through the use of scientifically sound and technically feasible approaches.
Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7060-2014 Chapter 9, Page 5
POLICIES
9 - 10 Maple Ridge will work with other authorities and agencies, and consider the development of a
strategy for addressing hazardous materials and contaminated sites.
9 - 11 Maple Ridge will work with the Province in the administration of relevant sections of the
Contaminated Sites Regulations, including a requirement for site profile evaluations to be completed as part
of the development review process.
Chapter 9, Page 6 Maple Ridge Official Community Plan Bylaw No. 7060-2014