Janice CasteelCLEVELAND, Tenn. -- The city has begun a process to expand its urban growth boundary that could lead to annexation along the northern part of Mouse Creek Road.
Cities are allowed by the state to annex within their urban growth boundaries.
One factor for the possible expansion is that subdivisions in that area already have Cleveland Utilities sewer service.
City Manager Janice Casteel is recommending officials pass a resolution limiting city sewer service to locations within the city limits.
"We have been looking at other cities which do that," she said.
Sewer service should be among city services that make annexation more attractive to neighborhoods, Casteel said. If residents already have sewer service, that is one less incentive to desire annexation, she said.
"We need to make it attractive to be in the city instead of hearing, 'We've already got that,'" Mayor Tom Rowland said.
City water service also extends beyond the city limits but would not be limited under the resolution.
The city has applied to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a flood study for the city and its urban growth area. The city wants to include North Mouse Creek in its urban boundary in order to be part of the flood study in case Bradley County does not participate.
At the request of City Councilman Bill Estes, the council on Monday approved sending a letter to county officials, urging their participation in the flood study.
City officials say Hardwick Farm, on North Lee Highway, will be annexed soon at the request of developers. By beginning the nearly two-year process to extend the urban growth boundary along North Mouse Creek and along Interstate 75 to exit 33, the city could be ready for that annexation.
In 1998, Tennessee adopted a law that requires cities to create urban growth boundaries as a solution to urban sprawl.