A new community hub with nearly 6,000 housing units could be coming to land on the Halifax Exhibition Park.

Halifax council approved the planning process Tuesday, for the proposal by Fathom Studios on behalf of the developer, BANC group.

The project includes over 5,800 units including 28 multi-unit buildings, between six and 24 stories high, as well as townhomes and stacked townhomes.

New roads, infrastructure and parks would also be part of the new development, on a 46-hectare space, roughly 4.5 km southwest of the peninsula.

According to council, in their proposal, Fathom says the site is “an ideal location for mixed-use development, given its location in proximity to the Ragged Lake Business Park.”

In addition to that, water and wastewater services are already on hand.

Staff say given the demand for housing and the fact the site would be near a major highway as well as an urban centre, they support kickstarting the planning process.

This will initiate a discussion on opportunities for things like improved transit and affordable housing.

The original pitch included only about 1,000 units.

Main concerns from residents at this point are traffic and congestion.