Dear Editor,
[RE: Maple Ridge council considers 178-unit apartment project, The News, April 4]
I agree with Coun. Ahmed Yousef's opinion about not allowing Kerkhoff Construction to go ahead with 41 fewer parking stalls.
The city is being bought off by developers for the price of less than one apartment. For this we get more street parking.
The developers lie and say we don't need parking spaces because people are doing away with their cars.
Not true!
We live in a bedroom community. Not only does everyone have a car, but they have a second car or truck that does not fit in the parking space allotted. Therefore, they become permanent street parking.
I know this because I live off of 240th Street. Land of many townhouses. One car can fit in the garage and there is no room for a second car. Cars line 240 Street permanently.
There are signs that say that this street will become four lanes. Then, where do the cars on 240 Street go? In the neighbourhood streets that are not on the main drag.
My point is, by not accommodating enough parking to begin with from the start, it opens up the situation to bigger issues down the road.
Maple Ridge is getting more populated, not less. Trying to find a parking spot in Maple Ridge is already a challenge.
Janet McDonald, Maple Ridge
