HUNTSVILLE — While the mantra may have been “go West, young man,” the city of Huntsville is making its growth to the east.

In its latest move, the City Council approved annexing nearly 700 acres near Gurley among three annexations Thursday night.

The largest annexation is for 686.46 acres on the north side of Little Cove Road and on the east and west sides of U.S. 72 just west of Gurley. The land is expected to be used for potential commercial and industrial development.

A second approval was westward with 36.54 acres on the south side of Martin Road and east of Electronics Boulevard. The land is expected to be used for a single-family residential development.

The final annexation was 1.41 acres on the south side of Sutton Road and west of Woodside Drive for a single-family residence.