Proposed Cleveland annexation leads to concerns in Bradley County
Outline of proposed annexation by city of Cleveland (From: Bradley County Commission)
CLEVELAND, Tenn. (WDEF)- “Why bring something in front of the County Commission so incomplete and erroneous as hell?”
Bradley County commissioners had some choice words for the city of Cleveland on Monday.
This as the city wants them to approve an annexation request.
Several commissioners, including Chairman Thomas Crye, say the proposed annexation of roughly 20 acres along Dalton Pike has serious logistical issues.
One of their main points of contention is the impact on the county fire station located in the Waterville area, which would be just blocks away from the new city limits line proposed.
They worry that it could place firefighters in a position where they could not respond to a fire because of jurisdictional issues, in an area county planners are likely to be commercially developed.
They also complained that a joint committee between the city and county to improve coordination between first responders across the county had only met twice in the past year.
Crye ranted, “You have a fire that a call goes to the city and you’re two blocks away from the county fire station, and they don’t get notified unless someone tells them it is a bunch of garbage that should’ve been straightened out months ago.”
In the city’s report within the commission’s packet of the initial annexation request of 42.5 acres, they state that this annexation would generate over $80,000 in annual tax revenue
This would also require over 30 children to be rezoned for city schools like Blythe-Bower Elementary School.
Also of concern is if the annexation would be a gateway to further annexation efforts into southern Bradley County.
Bradley County resident Dan Rawls said, “This has been allowed to go on and on and on and on. How many times until we stop this? This is ridiculous!”
We reached out to the city of Cleveland for comment on these concerns, but have not heard back as of Tuesday evening.
In the meantime, some residents say that this move is another sign that Bradley County is growing too fast.
Bradley County resident Kelly Popple said, “Saying it’s bound to happen ignores that we are growing faster that the other counties and towns in our community. That’s because they’re choosing to slow it down to prevent this level of growth.”
It’s up for a vote at the Bradley County Commission next Monday.
However, several commissions seem to indicate they are looking to table that request.
