The issue will be brought before the Bradley County Commission for final approval during its voting session Jan. 3, 2011.
Bradley County planner Corey Divel said the comprehensive plan would be used to carry out coordinated, separate comprehensive plans for the city and county and detailed area plans for three key areas — the McDonald/Exit 20 area, the urban core of Cleveland and the Mouse Creek Corridor. The plan would also incorporate revisions to the zoning and subdivision regulations.
If the grant funding request is approved by the Commission in January, the county will team with the city in jointly applying for a $125,000 matching grant from the Economic Development Administration (EDA). Since the comprehensive plan has an estimated cost of $250,000, the city and county would then be equally responsible for the remaining balance of the cost, $62,500 each.
Commissioner Dr. Mel Griffith, who voted against the issue, said he would not support a plan which appropriated revisions to the zoning and subdivision regulations.
“That’s something I get nervous about,” said Griffith.
The Finance Committee voted to fund the expense from the county’s 2011-12 fiscal year budget.
If the grant is applied for and received by the city and county, part of the funding will be used to hire a consultant to develop the comprehensive plan, according to Divel.
In other Finance Committee news, the committee voted to approve a $1,200 debt for two inmate mental evaluations. The debt will be paid from the Commission’s general fund balance. The Bradley County Emergency Management Agency also received a $290,500 Homeland Security grant. The grant is reimbursement funds through expenses and equipment purchased by the EMA.
The Bradley County Commission’s next scheduled meeting will be at 7 p.m. Monday. The Commission will meet at 6 p.m., prior to the meeting to review final estimates of a possible merger of Bradley County Fire Rescue and the Cleveland Fire Department.
