By Lori EhdeAn early-morning planning meeting on Wednesday, June 16, laid the groundwork for future development of land near and around the new hospital campus.Sioux Valley Hospitals and Health System executives requested the meeting to better prepare the hospital and city for development opportunities in the neighborhood.Architect plans for the 20-acre hospital and clinic campus already allows for future construction of health-related facilities, such as orthopedic or sinus specialists. But the hospital also owns an additional 35 acres between the boundaries of Highway 75 on the west, the gravel township road on the north, and Blue Mound Avenue on the east.This ground is currently zoned R-I for residential-institutional use and R-A for residential-agricultural use.The $17.8 million complex going up north of the Veterans Addition, will have nearly 95,000 square feet of space, more than doubling the space of the current landlocked hospital and clinic. Construction is projected to be complete by next summer.Once it starts attracting new traffic of hospital employees, patients and visitors, it’s only natural that new businesses and hospital-related ventures will turn to that area for development.The city of Luverne recently approved a new 10-year comprehensive plan, and one purpose of last-week’s meeting was to brainstorm for ways the hospital development will play into that plan.Among others, attending the meeting were Luverne Sioux Valley Hospital Administrator Gerald Carl, Sioux Valley executive Jim Striepe, Luverne City Administrator Greg LaFond, Luverne Mayor Glen Gust, Luverne Building and Zoning Administrator Dan Delgehausen, Rock County Administrator Kyle Oldre, Rock County Commissioner Ron Boyenga and Rock County Economic Development Corporation representatives Greg Burger and Marilyn Bloemendaal.Participants were hesitant to share specific ideas that surfaced at the meeting, but the Developmental Achievement Center, Luverne, is advertising for bids on a five- to six-bedroom group home.Delgehausen said it would be the hospital’s decision, but in general he said the ground east of the hospital would be suitable for a business park — planned in a way that would meld well with a residential area.He also said plans will have to include a retention pond larger than the existing Veterans Home pond to slow water run-off from the northwest. The pond would be located in the northeast corner of the property at the intersection of Blue Mound Avenue and the township road. Overall reaction by meeting participants was that the June 16 gathering was a good place to start for future planning."The county certainly appreciates Sioux Valley’s openness in discussing the use of their land with us," Oldre said.