FAIRMONT — The Fairmont Planning Commission approved two actions Tuesday to facilitate a proposed 77,000-square-foot expansion at Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center.

After two public hearings that drew no citizens or comments, the board unanimously supported rezoning a parcel of land from single-family residential to multiple family residential, and the preliminary and final plat for the parcel. Both measures now move on to the City Council for final action.

The rezoning affected a parcel of land at 651 Fairlakes Ave., behind and directly south of the Summit Vue Apartments.

“The property in question has been in agricultural production for most of its recent history with the owner,” Megan Boeck, Fairmont planner/code enforcement technician, told the commission. “It was originally purchased in the early 2000s with plans for future development.”

Boeck said the zoning change to accommodate multiple family units is compatible with the surrounding neighborhood, which includes Summit Vue Apartments, Shorewood Terrace Condominiums and the existing Lakeview Methodist property.

Lakeview also applied for preliminary and final plat to allow for the expansion. The property falls within Tier B of the Shoreland Management Area, which requires all properties to remain at 40 percent or less of impervious surface coverage, Boeck said. The parcel is being platted as a total area of 17.11 acres because the proposed development will cover 8.72 acres. This calculates to 39.28 percent impervious surface.

“This plat also utilized existing utilities. They are stubbed to the east side of the property, off Edwards Street,” Boeck said.

Boeck noted that Fairlakes Avenue, which runs on the west side of the Lakeview campus, will be extended with a portion of that street to be paved as part of the development.

Rick Moore, an architect with Wold Architects and Engineers of St. Paul, was present at the meeting to represent Lakeview and answer questions put forth by commissioners.