The city is moving ahead with plans to develop a large area near the new bypass in Regina’s southeast.

The idea is to fill in 690 hectares between Victoria Avenue and Arcola Avenue, and Woodland Grove Drive and the city’s eastern boundary, with 17,500 people.

The plan also includes a commercial centre, industrial park, and the relocated Pacer Park baseball diamonds. It might have a new high school as well.

In addition to the larger plan, Regina Planning Commission on Wednesday approved the specific development of a section south of Victoria Avenue East that could house more than one million square feet of commercial space.

A consultant’s study found in 2015 that the proposed commercial development in the southeast might outstrip demand over the next 15 years, but the city argues the vision for the area is more long-term than that. Commission member Coun. Mike O’Donnell was convinced by the developer’s comments about already having commitments from companies to move to the area.

The city is reviewing an application for industrial development east of the bypass, as well.

Large-scale water and wastewater systems upgrades are required to support the entire neighbourhood, an administration report says.

As a result, the development of subdivisions in the southeast will be assessed on a case-by-case basis given how they will impact services.