Cleveland City Planning Commission meeting recap

The Cleveland City Planning Commission heard from the public Tuesday night over two land-use requests, including a proposed neighborhood tea room and the annexation of nearly 386 acres near Interstate 75 in northern Bradley County.

The commission first considered a request to rezone about half an acre on North Ocoee Street from Professional Institutional to Neighborhood Commercial.

The proposed use is a tea room and Southern-style restaurant called Magnolia Meadow.

Several residents of nearby Overbriar Drive opposed the rezoning, raising concerns about traffic, parking, evening hours, lighting and the property’s close proximity to their homes.
The commission ultimately voted to delay the request for one month while city staff studies the buffering between the property and nearby residences.

Much of the remainder of the meeting focused on a request from Wright Brothers Construction involving approximately 385 acres along Lower River Road near Interstate 75 at the Charleston exit.
 
The property is at the northern end of an area where Cleveland’s city limits extend along the interstate. The requested property is within Cleveland’s urban growth boundary.

The applicant requested annexation into the city and General Commercial zoning.

Planning staff said discussions for the property have included a possible TA travel center, quick-service restaurants and other commercial development near the interstate interchange.
 
A large group of residents attended the meeting, with many expressing concern that the annexation could make it easier for additional property to seek annexation in the future.

Several speakers specifically raised concerns about the possibility of a data center eventually being developed in the area, including land closer to the Hiwassee River.

City staff said the General Commercial zoning requested for this property would not allow a data center. Any future proposal for that type of development would require a separate zoning process, including additional public notice and hearings.

Residents also raised questions about traffic, emergency services, utilities, infrastructure costs, environmental impacts, and whether public notice requirements had been met.
Officials said the notice issue would be reviewed before the matter reaches the council.
Some commissioners supported delaying the annexation for a month to allow residents more time to gather information.

That motion failed.

The Planning Commission then voted to recommend approval of the plan of services, the annexation and the requested General Commercial zoning.
 
The final decision will be made by the Cleveland City Council, with the matter expected to be discussed on August 24, provided the city determines all required public-notice requirements have been met.

WCLE reached out to City Manager Joe Fivas who stated “If there is ever a Data Center proposed in the City of Cleveland, we are committed to an open and transparent process that will have multiple community meetings to address any questions from the community before any votes take place”