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East Ridge rezoning request pits resident concerns against increased tax revenue

Staff file photo by Seth Carpenter/ Easy Auto Powersports is pictured. The business purchased a duplex on Swope Drive in order to expand the powersports dealership, but the East Ridge City Council must first approve a rezoning request for the property that neighboring residents oppose. Staff file photo by Seth Carpenter/ Easy Auto Powersports is pictured. The business purchased a duplex on Swope Drive in order to expand the powersports dealership, but the East Ridge City Council must first approve a rezoning request for the property that neighboring residents oppose.

By Emily Crisman May 11, 2026 5 min read

Kenneth McCloud has lived on Swope Drive in East Ridge for almost two decades.

The first property he lived in, at 1500 Swope Drive, was purchased in 2006 by the owners of Easy Auto, a used car dealership at 5610 Ringgold Road.

He and his two children were given 30 days to move out of the rental property, his daughter, Ashley Bankston, said by phone.

McCloud was able to make a deal with the owner of the duplex next door, at 1502 Swope Drive, to move into one of the units in exchange for doing yard work for the owner.

The vacant lot at 5595 Ringgold Road was expanded to include 1500 Swope Drive.