Fayette Community

Hospital has won approval from the Fayetteville Planning and Zoning Commission

to annex more than 27 acres so it can expand.

The commission

approved the rezoning at its regular meeting May 27. The City Council

must also approve the rezoning, which is scheduled to be considered for

a first reading and public hearing at the June 19 council meeting.

The Fayette

County Commission has indicated it will not oppose the rezoning.

The hospital

is already having to shuffle around to find more room, as some administrative

offices have relocated to make room for a group of cardiologists, according

to hospital CEO Darrell Cutts.

The hospital

was built seven years ago, but officials were told then that it wouldn't

be a big hit. Those meager expectations have been far exceeded, Cutts

has indicated.

The hospital

is considering adding services such as a cath lab and radiation therapy

so local residents don't have to leave the county for those services,

Cutts added.

The expansion

includes a copious amount of parking, which Cutts noted has been a problem

at times.