Anderson County to consider changing zoning rules to ensure ‘community safeguards’ from data centers
Anderson County commissioners are considering amendments to their zoning resolution to address data centers, cryptocurrency mining, and battery energy storage facilities. The proposed changes aim to establish community safeguards and performance standards, including requirements for land size, power, utility service, and noise limits. These amendments are intended to update the current resolution, which does not specifically mention these emerging industries.
Anderson County commissioners are preparing to introduce new zoning amendments to regulate emerging industries like cryptocurrency mining and data centers. The proposed changes, to be considered at an upcoming June 15 meeting, aim to update the county's Zoning Resolution, which has been in place since March 1977 and does not currently address these types of facilities.
The amendments seek to establish "community safeguards and performance standards." Key provisions include requiring at least eight acres of land for such developments, proof of adequate power and utility service, specific building setbacks, and noise limits. Additionally, the revised resolution would mandate buffer screens, surety for site cleanup, industrial-only zoning, and rules for disposing of debris and equipment. The initiative follows the current situation where the Board of Zoning Appeals must make ad hoc judgments on permit applications due to the resolution's lack of specific guidance for these industries.