Johnson City commissioners move closer to approving cryptocurrency mine zoning in 2nd vote

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WCYB) — Tensions are escalating in Johnson City as residents express concerns over a proposed zoning ordinance that could pave the way for cryptocurrency mines near residential areas. City commissioners approved the second of three votes on a zoning ordinance Thursday, which would permit data centers, including cryptocurrency mines, in the city’s heavy industrial zone, known as I-2.

City officials stated that cryptocurrency mines are already technically allowed under existing regulations. The proposed amendment aims to confine these operations to the I-2 zone and enforce stricter guidelines, such as requiring enclosed buildings, buffer zones near homes, and sound limits.

However, residents gathered in protest, wearing red to voice their opposition. They cited concerns about noise, energy consumption, and the potential impact on nearby neighborhoods.

“I live in south Johnson City and a lot of us have animals, we have birds and bees that are in that part of the country,” Sharon Anderson said. “This machinery, the noise is known to disrupt these animals. And I just do not think that it is environmentally desirable because it has also been known to raise temperature in the areas where it stays.”

“I’m not particularly interested in Bitcoin coming to Johnson City,” commissioner Joe Wise said at a previous meeting. “I’m certainly not going to be recruiting it. However, what I want us to be in a position to do is to put some meaningful boundaries around it.”