Anderson County, TN (WOKI / WVLT) – Anderson County commissioners are preparing to take action to regulate emerging industries, including cryptocurrency mining operations and data centers.
During their June 15 meeting, commissioners will consider three proposed amendments to the county’s zoning resolution aimed at adding what leaders describe as “community safeguards and performance standards.”
The county’s current zoning rules, first adopted in March 1977, do not address newer industries such as cryptocurrency mining, battery energy storage, or data processing centers. As a result, applications for those uses currently require case-by-case decisions by the Board of Zoning Appeals.
The proposed amendments would establish clearer guidelines and requirements for these types of developments. Among the provisions under consideration are minimum site sizes of eight acres, verification of sufficient power and utility capacity, building setback requirements, noise limitations, and buffer screening.
Additional measures would include requiring financial guarantees for site cleanup, restricting projects to industrial-zoned areas, and setting standards for the disposal of equipment and debris.
County leaders say the goal is to proactively manage growth while protecting surrounding communities as new industries expand into the region.
