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Landslides delay Jackson Road development

District waiting for a geotechnical report on the east Maple Ridge property
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The first slide occurred above Jackson Road in November - the second in January.

A proposed development on Jackson Road won't move ahead until the District of Maple Ridge finds out what caused a pair of landslides on the property.

On Tuesday, council rescinded two bylaws for 10150 and 10190 Jackson Road to spare the owners from beginning the rezoning process all over again.

In July 2013, council granted Damax Consultants a one-year extension on a rezoning application to allow the construction of 45 single family homes.

Director of planning Christine Carter explained that rescinding the bylaws would remove the third reading timeline limitations for the project, and allow the applicant more time to investigate and rectify the slope stability issue.

"We've asked them to do some very technical work," said Carter. "We don't know how long it will take to get the geotechnical issues resolved."

In January, gravel slipped in an area intended for public recreation, where a trail traverses a steep slope, connecting to the horse trails above in Thornhill.

New homes are located further east in the upper area on 248th Street and more new homes are planned for below in an old gravel pit on Jackson Road and 100th Avenue.

The slide is the second to happen in the area, following an earlier one in November.

Once the geotechinical report is received, the application will go to a public hearing.

"There will be people in the area that are very curious about what the report says," said Carter.

"This way there's no problem releasing the report."

Carter added that the depending on what the report show, the district may have to adjust the development boundaries.