Bradley County commissioners debate Dalton Pike annexation amid public calls for a data-center moratorium

County officials on Tuesday faced sustained public opposition and detailed technical questions over a proposed noncontiguous annexation on Dalton Pike and broader concerns about possible data-center development.

Commissioner Josh Rogers introduced a resolution asking the Bradley County mayor to enter an interlocal annexation agreement with the city of Cleveland. The packet initially described about 42.5 acres; planning staff Bentley told the commission the draft had been revised to include only the acreage inside the urban growth boundary — "it now is 19.98, yes," Bentley said.

Why it matters: Residents and elected officials said the annexation could change which agency responds to emergencies, make additional land contiguous for future annexation and have consequences for infrastructure, schools and habitat along the Hiwassee River. Multiple speakers urged a temporary moratorium on large-scale data-center projects while the county studies impacts.

At public comment, Kelly Poppel said rapid growth was "unhealthy" and asked commissioners to use their authority to slow change, arguing the county could vote down interlocal agreements that would facilitate large projects. "You have the power to do something," she said, listing infrastructure, public-safety and environmental concerns.

Carrie Cortez, owner of B and B Marina and Campground, presented a packet she said documents recent land transfers and LLC formation tied to Wright Brothers Construction and asked the commission to "consider adopting a temporary moratorium on any proposed data center development affecting this parcel" until the county studies impacts and regulations. Ryan Cortez told commissioners organizers had gathered hundreds of in-person petition signatures and more than 1,300 online signatures opposing industrial rezoning on the river parcel.

County attorney Crystal Freyberg described moratoria as a legal tool to "take no action while you study something" but cautioned they must be tied to a legitimate study and not used simply to block development. Commissioners pressed staff on plan-of-services details, whether the annexation's reduced acreage restarted any statutory clocks and whether making a small parcel contiguous could allow a later, larger annexation.

Several commissioners said they were prepared to vote no on interlocal agreements that proceed without clear answers on fire, EMS and school-service boundaries. Planning staff noted the plan of services lists an education impact of 32 school-age children and described the property as proposed for a PUD, which can include residential components.

Procedural next step: The resolution and related documents were scheduled for the commission's voting session on Monday, July 20 at 12:00 p.m. Commissioners asked Bentley to check statutory timing and told staff they may offer substitute motions, postponements or a motion to table the item at that session.

Quotes that capture the moment: "It now is 19.98, Yes," Bentley said, describing the revised interlocal agreement. "You have the power to do something," Kelly Poppel told commissioners. "We can look at that policy," County attorney Crystal Freyberg said of the rules governing interlocal agreements and moratoria.

What's next: The commission will consider the annexation at the July 20 voting session; commissioners signaled they may press for additional committee work on fire/EMS response and other plan-of-services items before approving an interlocal annexation that affects jurisdictional boundaries.