Bradley County limits cryptocurrency mining and data centers to I-2 industrial zones with 3,000-foot buffers

The Bradley County Commission on April 20 voted to amend the county zoning code to add definitions and rules for cryptocurrency mining and data centers, and to limit those uses to the I-2 Special Impact Industrial District with minimum distance protections for residential areas, schools and churches.

The action grew out of concerns from residents and commissioners about noise, air and water impacts and heavy power demands from large-scale data centers or industrial cryptocurrency operations. Commissioner Louie Alford, who led the substitute motion, told the commission he shared residents’ worries and emphasized that the vote was "not a vote on a specific data center project" but rather a move to "put rules in place to guide and regulate these types of facilities in the future." He urged placing the uses in I-2, which he said includes stronger standards such as larger lot requirements, greater setbacks, and infrastructure conditions.

Alford also argued that the county lacks legal authority to ban data centers outright, making it important to establish protective standards now. "Right now, we do not have specific zoning rules for data centers," he said. "That means if someone applied today, it could be approved under an existing zoning district that was not designed for this use and does not include safeguards for these impacts. I believe we can and should do better than that." He proposed that cryptocurrency mining and data centers be permitted only in I-2 and be prohibited adjacent to or within 3,000 feet of FAR, R-1 or R-2 districts, and not within 3,000 feet of any existing residential dwelling, school, or church.

Commissioner Josh Rogers seconded the substitute motion. The commission opened a public hearing as required; no public comments were recorded in the meeting transcript. The amendment language adopted also requires a site plan, screening and decibel verification, and written proof from the electric utility that the facility’s anticipated power draw can be safely served. The resolution as adopted instructs that electronic waste generated by mining operations be recycled through a licensed e-waste firm and prohibits the use of shipping containers or similar repurposed enclosures for mining equipment outside of purpose-built, enclosed noise-reduction structures.

The substitute motion carried on roll call, 14-0. The county posted draft ordinance language and the full resolution in the meeting packet.