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Blount County committee unanimously sends data-center, crypto-mining restrictions to planning commission
Summary
The workshop committee amended and forwarded a resolution seeking to restrict data centers and cryptocurrency mining in unincorporated Blount County, adding utility, environmental and moratorium review provisions; the amendment and main motion passed unanimously and will be sent to the planning commission to draft zoning language.
The Blount County Board of Commissioners' workshop committee unanimously approved a resolution Thursday directing staff and the planning commission to develop strict rules on data centers and cryptocurrency mining in unincorporated county areas.
Sponsor Commissioner Anderson said the measure is intended to stop large-scale data centers that would strain local utilities and infrastructure while remaining legally defensible. The committee adopted an amendment that adds three provisions: requiring certificates that utility providers can supply adequate electricity and water without rate impacts to other users; adding soil- and air-quality protections and other environmental safeguards; and directing staff to consider whether a moratorium on such uses is advisable. The amendment passed 16-0; the main motion passed 16-0 and the item was forwarded to the full commission and the planning commission for zoning work.
"A lot of the county attorneys around the state have said this is an issue that you can't just say no data centers," Commissioner Anderson said in explanation. "Bradley County's approach made it virtually impossible. That's the direction we're taking here: restrict it to industrial and add layers so it is not practicable in most places." He and other sponsors cited examples and said other Tennessee counties (including Knox, Anderson and Washington) are also drafting rules.
Supporters in the audience praised the action as timely; one resident said at the meeting that he appreciated the "speed at which you have addressed the AI data centers and crypto mining" and the added amendments. Commissioners said the committee action is a policy direction that will lead to a detailed zoning ordinance drafted by the planning commission; that ordinance will be the enforceable document after public hearings and standard land-use review.
The committee's unanimous action sends a clear direction to planning staff: draft zoning text that defines data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities, restrict them to narrowly defined zones, and add permit requirements and environmental safeguards. The full commission will receive the planning commission's ordinance recommendation for final adoption.
