City Aldermen Give Final Approval to Ordinance Halting Data Center and Crypto Mining Permits
(UCBJ) – According to a report by WJLE in Smithville, the Smithville Board of Aldermen has given final approval to an ordinance imposing an 18-month moratorium on data centers and cryptocurrency mining operations within city limits. The delay will give city officials additional time to study the issue and consider restrictions before applications are submitted.
Officials want to look at:
- the impacts of high-density computing operations
- draft comprehensive zoning amendments
- hold required public hearings without the pressure of pending applications that could create non-conforming uses
Data centers are already prohibited under the city’s current zoning ordinance. It was the second and final reading of the ordinance.
From the report:
"The ordinance imposes a temporary 18- month moratorium on the acceptance, processing, and approval of an application for building permits, zoning certificates, site plans, variances, and special exceptions related to high density computing, data centers, and crypto currency mining operations within the city pending the study and adoption of updated zoning and land use regulations."
"No such data center land use applications have been filed with the city."
Ordinance #543 cites concerns including noise pollution from cooling systems, strain on the electrical grid, water consumption and electronic waste generation associated with high-density computing operations. The measure states such operations, without strict municipal oversight, pose a threat to the city's small-town character and overall harmony.
From the report:
"This moratorium shall remain in full force and effect for a period of eighteen months from the date of final passage of the Ordinance, or until the Board of Aldermen adopts comprehensive permanent zoning amendments regulating such uses, whichever occurs first. The Board of Aldermen reserves the right to extend this moratorium by ordinance amendment of additional time as reasonably required to complete the legislative process."
Read the full report HERE.
Image by DC Studio on Magnific.
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