Dear Editor,

The open house for the proposed Albion area plan review and amenity zoning contribution pilot study is set for March 13, 4: 306 p.m. This is an open letter to the mayor and council.

Mayor and council:

Re: Increased density in north Albion porposed plan and community amenity change.

The proposed north Albion plan was done in response to submissions of five or six development proposals. At the open house in May 2012, 61 per cent of written comments were opposed, but staff reported the "general feeling was positive."

How do you measure "feelings?"

Has this idea been used in development in other areas of Maple Ridge? If so, where?

Please explain how the proposed community amenity change differs from the development cost charge. If that worked as it was supposed to, there would not be a problem for a school in Silver Valley.

Why is so much taxpayer money being spent on consultant reports and advisory committees that are ignored or shelved, and on the Official Community Plan only to continually spend more time and money on changing it, seemingly at the behest of developers?

If it were true that developing beyond infrastructure were good for municipal coffers, shouldn't Maple Ridge be rich?

Bernice Rolls, Maple Ridge