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Vol. I · No. 1 Cleveland, Tenn. · Friday, November 13, 2026 Price: Free

Council Meetings › Bradley County Commission

Bradley County Commission · September 21, 2026

9/21/26 - Bradley County Commission Voting Session

County Mayor D. Gary Davis told the commission that developers of a proposed data center campus called Project MidSpan, on about 300 acres behind Walker Valley High School, have sued to overturn the county's data center rules, including its 3,000-foot setback from homes, schools and churches. The commission voted 14-0 to delay the Benton Pike rezoning (Resolution 2026-23) to its October 19 voting session so the Road and Education committees can review traffic and school impact. It approved the 3135 Harrison Pike rezoning to C-2 General Commercial (Resolution 2026-24) 14-0. Every recorded vote was unanimous.

Video: Bradley County, TN - Government · watch on YouTube

Official record: read the county’s approved minutes (PDF) · source on bradleycountytn.gov. The roll-call votes below are transcribed from this record.

Votes & decisions
ItemMoved / SecondedOutcomeVote
Approve the minutes of the September 8, 2026 regular voting session [02:00] Hughes / Goins Passed 14–0
Confirm the County Mayor's appointments and reappointments (Adult Oriented Establishment Committee, Ethics Committee, Law Library Board, Records and Archives Committee, Solid Waste Landfill Committee) [03:49] Hughes / Slater Passed 14–0
Enter the Local Government Property Casualty Fund general change endorsement (crime/faithful-performance coverage for elected officials) into the minutes [04:39] Alford / — Passed 0–0
Approve the consent agenda for September 21, 2026 (items 1-40: Finance Committee and Mayor recommended budget amendments, Nursing Home Board appointment of Ritchie Stevenson, notaries public) [11:39] Taylor / Goins Passed 14–0
Approve the voting session agenda for September 21, 2026 [21:51] Hughes / Asble Passed 14–0
Resolution 2026-23: rezone property on Benton Pike (tax map 051, parcel 029.08) from FAR Forestry/Agricultural/Residential to R-1 Rural Residential [23:00] Hughes / Slater Deferred 0–0
SUBSTITUTE motion (Kienlen): delay the vote on Resolution 2026-23 (Benton Pike rezoning) until the Road Committee and Education Committee meet on it; chair set the October 19, 2026 voting session [29:32] Kienlen / Taylor Passed 14–0
Resolution 2026-24: rezone 3135 Harrison Pike (tax map 040, parcel 123.04) from FAR Forestry/Agricultural/Residential and C-1 Rural Commercial to C-2 General Commercial [33:05] Hughes / Alford Passed 14–0

Summary

TL;DR: County Mayor D. Gary Davis told the commission that developers of a proposed data center campus called Project MidSpan, on about 300 acres behind Walker Valley High School, have sued to overturn the county's data center rules, including its 3,000-foot setback from homes, schools and churches.[14][16] The commission voted 14-0 to delay the Benton Pike rezoning (Resolution 2026-23) to its October 19 voting session so the Road and Education committees can review traffic and school impact.[2][37] It approved the 3135 Harrison Pike rezoning to C-2 General Commercial (Resolution 2026-24) 14-0.[3] Every recorded vote was unanimous.

Overview

Chairman Milan Blake presided over the regular voting session at the Bradley County Courthouse. All 14 commissioners were present: Beaty, Hughes, Alford, Murray, Blake, Collins, Taylor, Kienlen, Goins, Slater, Mason, Ledford, Asble and Beasley. County Mayor D. Gary Davis, County Clerk Wanda Justice and County Attorney Crystal Freiberg also attended. The meeting opened at noon and adjourned at 12:42 p.m.[1][3]

  • Minutes [02:00]. The September 8 minutes were approved 14-0 on a motion by Hughes, seconded by Goins.[1][8]
  • Committee assignments [02:35]. Chairman Blake entered the 2026-27 internal standing committee assignments into the minutes. He reminded committee chairs that a quorum takes three members.[9][4]
  • Mayor's appointments [03:28]. Mayor Davis asked the commission to confirm his appointments to the Adult Oriented Establishment Board, Ethics Committee, Law Library Board, Records and Archives Committee and Solid Waste Committee. They were confirmed 14-0 (Hughes, seconded by Slater).[10][1]
  • Insurance endorsement [04:21]. Mayor Davis said a document from the local government insurance pool shows all elected officials are covered by insurance instead of a bond, except the trustee, whose bond has been purchased and filed.[11] The Local Government Property Casualty Fund endorsement lists a limit of $400,000 per occurrence for employee dishonesty and faithful performance coverage for 12 county offices.[5] Commissioner Alford entered it into the minutes with no objection.[1]
  • Project MidSpan report [04:48]. Mayor Davis said his office learned late on Friday, September 18, of a proposed data center called Project MidSpan and of a lawsuit filed by a New York company that challenges the data center rules the commission adopted earlier this year.[12] He said it was the same day developers announced a pause on Project River.[13]

- He said the project proposes a campus on about 300 acres directly behind Walker Valley High School, and that the nearest proposed building would be 1,700 feet from the high school building "and soon to be middle school."[14] - He said the developer asks the court to declare the county's April zoning action invalid.[15] The county's rules set where data centers may go in unincorporated Bradley County and require a 3,000-foot setback from residential areas, schools and churches.[16] - "This will not be inexpensive, folks," he said. "Defending the county in litigation of this magnitude could require substantial taxpayer resources."[17] He said Bradley County will defend the regulations and that he would post the materials Project MidSpan gave the county on his Facebook page.[18] - He said he has not signed a nondisclosure agreement, and that because the case is pending he cannot discuss legal strategy or the lawsuit's allegations.[19] - Asked by Commissioner Taylor about a timeline, he said there was "no telling how long."[20]

  • Consent agenda [11:39]. The 40-item consent agenda passed 14-0 (Taylor, seconded by Goins).[2] It included these budget amendments recommended by the Finance Committee on September 8:[6]

- $50,000 moved from the Bradley Central High School track line in Fund 189 (Education Capital Projects) back to undesignated fund balance, because "funds are not needed for the completion of the track." - $1,219,604.14 in excess debt-service fund balance to pay off the ESG interfund loan. - $1,203,986.00 to pay off the 10-year turf interfund loan, and $2,051,826.00 to pay off the 20-year turf interfund loan. - $200,000 transferred to Health and Wellness to correct the 2026-27 Community Development budget. - $11,339.36 moved to Sheriff legal fees for "insurance deductibles for lawsuits." - The consent agenda also appointed Ritchie Stevenson to the Nursing Home Board, filling Terri Murray's unexpired District 2 term through August 30, 2029.[7] - Commissioner Ledford asked where the $50,000 track money came from. Chairman Blake said it came out of Fund 189 and is going back into that fund's balance, which he described as "the savings account for each fund."[21] - During the roll call, Commissioner Kienlen stated that as a Bradley County employee he has a conflict of interest, and that his vote answers "only to my conscience and to my obligation to my constituents," citing Tenn. Code Ann. § 12-4-101. He voted aye.[2][22]

  • Committee and district reports [14:05].

- Commissioner Ledford said EMS collections for August were $565,761 (figure as heard) and that the Planning Commission postponed a rezoning on Spring Place Road for a proposed Dollar General.[24][23] - Commissioner Mason said Household Hazardous Waste Day is planned for November 7, 8 a.m. to noon, at the Bradley County Sheriff's Office.[25] - Commissioners Murray and Alford said the 2nd District expects more attention over the data center issue. Alford said he was "not looking forward to the court case."[26]

  • Agenda [21:51]. The agenda was approved 14-0 (Hughes, seconded by Asble).[2]
  • Item A: Benton Pike rezoning, Resolution 2026-23 [23:00]. Commissioner Hughes moved to rezone Benton Pike property (tax map 051, parcel 029.08) from FAR Forestry/Agricultural/Residential to R-1 Rural Residential; Vice Chair Slater seconded.[27]

- Public hearing: Ben Berry of Berry Engineers said the land already allows home subdivisions, and R-1 would allow one shared sewer system in place of a septic tank at each home, managed by a utility district or a private utility.[28] - Resident Chuck Walter said school drop-off and pickup at Michigan Avenue School "pretty much shuts Benton Pike down" and asked what the county will do before more homes are added.[29] - County planning staff member Bentley said a traffic study from the adjacent development will go to the next Road Committee meeting.[30] - Answering Commissioner Alford, Berry said the project is "a little over 100 lots on 30-something acres, so about three homes per acre."[31] He said the traffic study recommends, over five years, a signal or roundabout at a nearby Benton Pike intersection.[32] - Alford said: "I just don't think I can vote for this until we get a plan in place with the road committee."[33] - Commissioner Kienlen moved a substitute to delay the vote. He said he had not heard from Dr. Cash on the impact on Michigan Avenue School.[34] Commissioner Taylor, who chairs the Road Committee, seconded. Commissioner Hughes asked that the Education Committee also review it.[35] - County Attorney Crystal Freiberg said the vote should go to the first meeting after the Road Committee acts, because staff must give a new public hearing notice.[36] Chairman Blake set the October 19 voting session.[37] The substitute passed 14-0.[2]

  • Item B: 3135 Harrison Pike rezoning, Resolution 2026-24 [33:05]. Hughes moved to rezone the property (tax map 040, parcel 123.04) from FAR and C-1 Rural Commercial to C-2 General Commercial; Alford seconded. No one spoke at the public hearing. It passed 14-0.[38][3]
  • Communication from the audience [34:47].

- Bryant Poston, of Candies Creek Ridge Road in the 2nd District, asked the commission to propose an amendment to the Bradley County comprehensive growth plan. He said it would restore county representation in annexations such as Project River and let the county and city renegotiate their annexation agreement. He said the plan was last updated around 2014.[39] - A Cleveland resident who gave her name as Misty spoke about Project 2025, federal election law and national politics.[40] - A Cleveland resident named Alicia said roundabouts could ease traffic and offered survey data she collected on possible sites.[41]

  • Announcements [41:20]. Chairman Blake announced a tour of the Pi Center on September 24 at 10 a.m.[42]

Decisions

ItemOutcomeTallyDissent
Approve Sept. 8 minutes (Hughes/Goins) [02:00]Passed14-0None
Confirm Mayor's appointments and reappointments (Hughes/Slater) [03:49]Passed14-0None
Enter insurance endorsement into minutes (Alford) [04:39]Entered by consentNo roll callNone
Consent agenda, items 1-40 (Taylor/Goins) [11:39]Passed14-0None
Voting session agenda (Hughes/Asble) [21:51]Passed14-0None
Resolution 2026-23, Benton Pike rezoning to R-1 (Hughes/Slater) [23:00]Deferred to Oct. 19No voteNone
Substitute: delay Res. 2026-23 until Road and Education committees meet (Kienlen/Taylor) [29:32]Passed14-0None
Resolution 2026-24, 3135 Harrison Pike rezoning to C-2 (Hughes/Alford) [33:05]Passed14-0None

Per-member votes come from the official minutes, which record each commissioner's aye by name.[1][2][3]

Sources

  1. Bradley County Commission, Regular Session minutes, September 21, 2026, p. 1 (00001). https://bradleycountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Voting-Session-minutes-part-1-9.21.2026.pdf ↩
  2. Bradley County Commission, Regular Session minutes, September 21, 2026, p. 2 (00002). https://bradleycountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Voting-Session-minutes-part-1-9.21.2026.pdf ↩
  3. Bradley County Commission, Regular Session minutes, September 21, 2026, p. 3 (00003). https://bradleycountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Voting-Session-minutes-part-1-9.21.2026.pdf ↩
  4. Bradley County Commission Internal Standing Committees, effective September 21, 2026, minutes attachment p. 00004. https://bradleycountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Voting-Session-minutes-part-1-9.21.2026.pdf ↩
  5. Local Government Property Casualty Fund, General Change Endorsement CEO-0001, policy term July 1, 2026 to July 1, 2027, minutes attachment p. 00006. https://bradleycountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Voting-Session-minutes-part-1-9.21.2026.pdf ↩
  6. Consent Agenda, September 21, 2026, and budget amendment forms, minutes attachment pp. 00007, 00011-00016. https://bradleycountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Voting-Session-minutes-part-1-9.21.2026.pdf ↩
  7. Consent Agenda item 39, September 21, 2026, minutes attachment p. 00008. https://bradleycountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Voting-Session-minutes-part-1-9.21.2026.pdf ↩
  8. Meeting video, motion and roll call on the minutes [02:00]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=120 ↩
  9. Meeting video, Chairman Blake on committee assignments [02:35]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=155 ↩
  10. Meeting video, Mayor Davis presents appointments [03:28]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=208 ↩
  11. Meeting video, Mayor Davis on the insurance pool document [04:21]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=261 ↩
  12. Meeting video, Mayor Davis on Project MidSpan and the lawsuit [04:48]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=288 ↩
  13. Meeting video, Mayor Davis on the Project River pause [05:26]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=326 ↩
  14. Meeting video, Mayor Davis on the 300-acre site and 1,700-foot distance [05:36]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=336 ↩
  15. Meeting video, Mayor Davis on the relief the lawsuit seeks [06:02]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=362 ↩
  16. Meeting video, Mayor Davis on the county's data center rules and 3,000-foot setback [06:32]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=392 ↩
  17. Meeting video, Mayor Davis on litigation cost [07:56]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=476 ↩
  18. Meeting video, Mayor Davis on defending the rules and posting the materials [08:14]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=494 ↩
  19. Meeting video, Mayor Davis on the NDA and pending litigation [08:59]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=539 ↩
  20. Meeting video, Commissioner Taylor's question and the Mayor's answer [10:29]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=629 ↩
  21. Meeting video, consent agenda discussion of the $50,000 track amendment [11:49]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=709 ↩
  22. Meeting video, Commissioner Kienlen's conflict statement [13:34]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=814 ↩
  23. Meeting video, Commissioner Ledford's report [15:41]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=941 ↩
  24. Meeting video, Commissioner Ledford on EMS collections [16:59]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1019 ↩
  25. Meeting video, Commissioner Mason on Household Hazardous Waste Day [17:38]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1058 ↩
  26. Meeting video, Commissioners Murray and Alford district reports [20:43]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1243 ↩
  27. Meeting video, Commissioner Hughes presents Resolution 2026-23 [23:00]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1380 ↩
  28. Meeting video, Ben Berry at the public hearing [23:52]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1432 ↩
  29. Meeting video, Chuck Walter at the public hearing [25:17]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1517 ↩
  30. Meeting video, county planning staff on the traffic study [26:19]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1579 ↩
  31. Meeting video, Ben Berry on lot count and density [27:46]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1666 ↩
  32. Meeting video, Ben Berry on the traffic study recommendation [28:14]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1694 ↩
  33. Meeting video, Commissioner Alford [29:22]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1762 ↩
  34. Meeting video, Commissioner Kienlen's substitute motion [29:32]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1772 ↩
  35. Meeting video, Commissioner Hughes on adding the Education Committee [30:42]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1842 ↩
  36. Meeting video, County Attorney Freiberg on scheduling and notice [31:20]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1880 ↩
  37. Meeting video, Chairman Blake sets the October 19 voting session [31:52]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1912 ↩
  38. Meeting video, Resolution 2026-24 motion, public hearing and roll call [33:05]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=1985 ↩
  39. Meeting video, Bryant Poston during communication from the audience [35:22]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=2122 ↩
  40. Meeting video, public commenter [37:01]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=2221 ↩
  41. Meeting video, public commenter on roundabouts [39:28]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=2368 ↩
  42. Meeting video, announcements [41:20]. https://youtu.be/PHadif-tTMA?t=2480 ↩

Highlights