Farmers Market North, located at the Bradley County Recreational Park on Urbane Road, has been approved for a sewer connection by the Cleveland City Council.CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- Working restroom facilities are closer to becoming a reality for Farmers Market North.
The Cleveland City Council recently voted 6-1 to approve a sewer connection to the market pavilion and waive the requirement for annexation by the city, in accordance with a proposal made as a "measure of goodwill" by Councilman Richard Banks.
Banks' measure was made in response to a letter from Bradley County Commission Chairman Louie Alford, who asked the city to reconsider a recent denial to provide a wastewater hookup to Farmers Market North, which is located at the Bradley County Recreational Park on Urbane Road.
"These restroom facilities have been completely constructed and are ready for the use and benefit of the public, and absent your reconsideration of this matter, will sit unused and useless to the public," said Alford, who described the request as "unique" in light of its circumstances.
On July 9, 2013, the city issued a permit granting a sewer connection for the market's restroom facilities, which were subsequently built, according to the letter.
Since a sewer connection is available, the state would not issue a septic tank permit, Alford said.
He presumed the city's recent denial was based on a resolution passed by the City Council in September 2013 that required a request for annexation before granting sewer connections, Alford said.
Waiving the requirement for annexation created a bad precedent in regard to other sewer connection requests from outside of city limits, said Councilman David May, who cast the only vote in opposition to Banks' proposal.
The situation was "a little different" than an ordinary residential request, as it was made by a government entity, Banks said.
May also cited prior bad experiences with the county government, but Banks countered by saying that "[in] every situation somebody has to kiss and make up."
In an effort to address other reservations voiced during the discussion, Banks' measure limited the wastewater hookup to one connection that would not be enlarged or extended to other service points.
It was also agreed that the county would be responsible for the estimated $8,000 cost of installing the sewer line to Farmers Market North.
Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland questioned why the county would not request annexation of the property, stating it would not entail any costs to Bradley County, but would provide water and wastewater services at a lesser expense to county taxpayers.
Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.