Cleveland City Planning Commission Reviews 400-Acre Annexation Request Amid Data Center Concerns
The Cleveland City Planning Commission is reviewing a request for the annexation of nearly 400 acres in Bradley County, Tennessee. This proposal has generated significant public concern, with residents fearing the land could be used for a data center, a type of development that Bradley County recently placed under strict restrictions in April. Despite these fears, Cleveland city officials, including Planning Director Robert Varnell, have stated that the proposed zoning designation for the annexed land would not permit a data center. Instead, Varnell indicated that the developer, Wright Brothers Construction, intends to build a 'travel center,' described as a large service station. Residents at the planning commission meeting expressed concerns about a perceived lack of transparency and insufficient notice regarding the annexation request, as well as uncertainty about the property's future use. The planning commission ultimately voted to recommend all three agenda items related to the annexation, including ...