Council approves solar array project at 12 Cisco Drive after noise discussion; one abstention

The Lincoln City Council on Sept. 15 approved construction of a solar array project at 12 Cisco Drive after council members questioned potential noise from a facility they feared could be used for data center or Bitcoin mining operations. Alderman Anderson moved approval; Alderman Downs seconded. During discussion, Alderman Sanders asked whether the facility would be a "Bitcoin mining facility" and raised concerns about noise. A project representative identified in the meeting as Tony described site changes intended to reduce noise, including moving equipment about 170 feet north of the road, surrounding the site with vegetation, and installing berms where practical. He said the project uses pre-built server pods that are loud inside but that the pods are housed within sheds and that additional noise-deadening panels or berms could be added if complaints occurred. "If we do receive complaints, is there a chance that you would retrofit that with a berm?" Alderman McClellan asked. The representative replied, "For sure. ... I will happily comply with whatever ... I am completely confident that we can hit all of those marks," referring to Illinois noise standards and the Illinois Pollution Control Board (IPCB) guidelines by name in the discussion. On the roll call vote the motion passed with one abstention: Alderman Bateman abstained; all other present aldermen voted yes. The council did not place additional conditions or measurement-based noise limits on the project in the recorded discussion.