The city of Bend’s urban growth boundary expansion plan was approved Tuesday by Oregon’s Department of Land Conservation and Development. The expansion adds 2,380 acres of land the city can develop by moving the line that separates the rural county from urban development.

Allowing for more than 17,000 homes, about half of the land will go to housing. More than 800 acres are slated for employment, adding room for more than 21,000 jobs.

If no valid appeals are received by the state by December 5th, landowners can begin submitting plans to the city to redevelop properties. Plans for small developments such as new houses or duplexes could be approved within weeks, while planning entire neighborhoods could take more time.

The current plan is a culmination of nearly a decade of work. The state turned down a 2010 proposal that had asked for an 8,000 acre expansion.