The Blowing Rock Town Council voted Tuesday to move forward on the voluntary annexation process for a 25-acre tract off U.S. 321 owned by Appalachian Regional Healthcare System.

The council's unanimous vote allows the town clerk to review the sufficiency of the request and sets a public hearing on the matter for the next council meeting at 5:30 p.m. July 10 at Blowing Rock Town Hall.

The request, if approved, would allow the town to provide water and sewer connections to the new tract. Town Planner Kevin Rothrock said the land meets the five state criteria for satellite annexation.

The new property, currently located in the Blowing Rock extraterritorial jurisdiction and zoned general business, adjoins a 43-acre tract purchased by the hospital system and annexed by the town last year.

Appalachian Regional Healthcare System purchased the new parcel in April for $1.5 million from Peoples Bank. Both are located off Summit Meadow Lane adjacent to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Both parcels are part of a long-term plan to construct the Blowing Rock Post-Acute Care Center, a new medical campus to serve aging or infirm adults. That facility is expected to replace Blowing Rock Hospital.

The hospital system has planned a public meeting for 5 p.m. June 20 at the Blowing Rock Art & History Museum to share more information about the project.

The Blowing Rocket Editor Jeff Eason contributed to this story.