The city of Cleveland is growing because of requests from property owners who have asked to be annexed. At the city council meeting on Monday, public hearings were held regarding annexing of two properties totaling about 27 acres and rezoning it for residential use. Two other properties, already in the city limits, were also rezoned to residential.
The council unanimously approved annexation of 7.5 acres located at Freewill Road and 22nd Street, NW.
and zoned the property from the unincorporated county to R1 Single Family Residential. Another 19.9 acres was annexed at Tasso Lane and North Lee Highway. This property was zoned from the unincorporated county to R2 Low Density Single and Multi-Family Residential District. A development of 250 or more homes is planned at that location.
Property along Peach Orchard Hill Road NE, consisting of 4.81 acres already within the city of Cleveland, was rezoned from CG General Commercial to R2 Low Density Single and Multi-Family District. And another 1.84 acres at 601 and 607 20th St. SE was rezoned from IH Heavy Industrial to R2 Low Density Single and Multi-Family District.
The council also voted to amend permitted uses and development standards within the area on Paul Huff Parkway and Mohawk Drive so the city can build a public restroom for the greenway.
All city services will have to be provided for the 27 newly annexed acres and housing that will follow. By state law, Cleveland will be given eight years to comply. It was noted that the amenities can be finished sooner if the developers or individuals choose to pay for it themselves. The city council members were told that in the near future another request for annexation of property for a 400-home development will come before them.
Councilman Richard Banks said that the 250 or more homes just at the Tasso Lane development will certainly increase the city’s tax base and that all the new housing will require planning for adequate schools and public works services among other things.
Hal Taylor, director of maintenance and transportation for Cleveland city schools, told the council that the Tennessee Department of Safety has created a new video to use as a public service announcement. Studies have shown that six out of 10 people do not stop for school bus stop signs. The department of safety wants the public to know the importance of obeying the law to save lives and prevent accidents. Currently, it takes an officer riding on the bus and one following before a ticket can be given for the violation. Monday, the council passed a resolution requesting the state legislature to introduce legislation that would allow video cameras on school bus stop signs and for the recordings of violations to be admissible in court.
A fence was on the property when a home on Woodcrest Avenue was bought recently. After the sale the owner discovered part of the fence was on city-owned property that leads into Tinsley Park. In order for the fence to remain in place, City Attorney John Kimball recommended granting an easement with conditions favorable to the city. It would be a revocable agreement with a 30-day notice and would pertain to the current owner only who would be required to maintain insurance on the property. The city would also retain the right to access the property 24/7 to service a water line that runs into Tinsley Park. A vote on the recommendation will take place at a later meeting when the council gathers additional information.
The owner of a building on Stewart Avenue had previously offered to sell the property to the city for use as a parking lot for the Greenway. Several council members and the mayor have watched the area and concluded there is already sufficient parking. Mayor Tom Rowland said if there is other viable interest, it should be pursued.
A motion was passed that was made by Councilman Tom Cassada to ask the city school board to reconsider letting fourth and fifth graders use their gyms to practice basketball after school. This is the first year the city schools have formed their own basketball leagues. Prior to this year, students in city schools participated in a league created by Bradley County Schools. Students from the city are still allowed to play on county teams that they were on before, but want to be able to practice at their own schools. This is a matter that should be decided by the Cleveland School Board, not the City Council, said Councilman Bill Estes, who cast the only vote against.
The council also approved three resolutions. One authorized the application of the Pool’s Property Conservation matching grant, a 50/50 split with the city responsible for $5,000. New state guidelines were also adopted for housing rehabilitation projects. And the mayor was given authority to sign a notice of land use restriction for Tinsley Park.
City Manager Joe Fivas updated the council on the timeline for his strategic plan for the city. The plan includes holding community meetings to determine what neighborhoods in the city need, a three-year transportation plan, and plans for the revitalization of the Southside and for re-imagining Downtown for the next three years.
The council unanimously approved the appointment of Avery Johnson to the position of Vice Mayor.