Davis refutes claims county involved in annexation
Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis denied county involvement in a proposed annexation near Cleveland that could potentially be used for a data center. The property owner is seeking annexation and a general commercial zoning designation from the City of Cleveland. Bradley County previously amended its zoning regulations to restrict data centers to specific industrial districts.
Bradley County Mayor D. Gary Davis addressed rumors at Monday's Bradley County Commission meeting, asserting that the county is not involved in a proposed annexation of approximately 385 acres near Exit 33.
The property owner is seeking annexation into the City of Cleveland and a general commercial zoning designation for future commercial development. Mayor Davis clarified that this request is made by the property owner and will be processed by the City of Cleveland's planning department before being decided by the Cleveland City Council, not the Bradley County Commission.
Davis also stated he has no information that the property would be used for a data center, noting that the proposed general commercial zoning does not currently allow data centers. He mentioned past public protests in April and July concerning land acquisitions for potential data centers, emphasizing his commitment to transparency to avoid similar accusations of working against public interest.
In April, the Bradley County Commissioners approved amendments to the county's zoning regulations, strictly limiting cryptocurrency mining and data centers to the I-2 Special Impact Industrial District.