JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — A gaggle of Johnson Metropolis residents launched multiplepetitions in opposition to Bitcoin mining as metropolis commissioners think about zoning modifications for them.
Metropolis leaders mentioned the zoning modifications are geared toward including restrictions to future cryptocurrency mines, however residents are fearful the dialog alerts one could also be coming.
Commissioners gave preliminary approval to zoning modifications that will enable knowledge facilities and cryptocurrency mines in the I-2 heavy industrial district.
READ THE PROPOSAL |Johnson City Zoning Code Amendment
“The noise, what it is going to do to our property worth,” resident Cathy Galyon mentioned of the issues. “As a result of we love our neighborhood. We really feel like we now have a pleasant quiet neighborhood, and we do not need it to be ruined by this business.”
The proposal comes because the March 28, 2026 deadline attracts close to for a cryptocurrency mine in Limestone to depart.
Residents there spent years preventing towards the pc fan noise attributable to the mine, which performs advanced calculations to confirm cryptocurrency transactions. That ended with Washington County, Tennessee suing the mine and its landlord, electrical supplier BrightRidge, to pressure a transfer.
PREVIOUS REPORTING | Washington County, Tennessee commissioners approve settlement between BrightRidge and Red Dog Technologies
Now BrightRidge has purchased land on Innovation Drive in Johnson Metropolis, main folks dwelling close by to imagine the mine may transfer close to them.
“It is a variety of coincidences that instantly when that lawsuit is over, BrightRidge is buying a parcel of land on an I-2, and instantly the zoning for I-2 is taken into account for modifications to welcome knowledge facilities and Bitcoin mining,” resident Sylvain Bruni mentioned.
A BrightRidge spokesperson wouldn’t verify or deny if the corporate is bringing a Bitcoin mine to town.
“We shouldn’t have a remark right now,” the spokesperson mentioned.
READ MORE |Residents raise concern over potential Bitcoin mine in Mountain City
The Limestone mine’s dad or mum firm, CleanSpark, can also be behind plans for a mine in Mountain Metropolis and said last summer it plans to quadruple its Tennessee operations by 2026.
CleanSpark didn’t reply to our request for remark by deadline.
Metropolis commissioners view the zoning proposal in another way. They mentioned at a meeting May 1 that state legislation doesn’t enable them to ban a specific sort of enterprise, however with out particular guidelines, they mentioned a mine may go most anyplace.
“I am not notably in Bitcoin coming to Johnson Metropolis,” commissioner Joe Smart mentioned on the assembly. “I am definitely not going to be recruiting it. Nonetheless, what I would like us to be in a place to do is to place some significant boundaries round it.”
These boundaries embrace necessities that any mine must be in a closed constructing and have buffers between it and houses. Tighter guidelines for noise are additionally in the works.
Residents although aren’t satisfied.
“We’re fearful in regards to the youngsters,” Galyon mentioned. “We’re fearful about our property values. We’re fearful in regards to the atmosphere and what it is going to do to the animals.”
The group in opposition to the modifications is planning a neighborhood assembly at Ashley Academy Might 13 at 6:30 p.m. Commissioners will vote once more on Might 15 and June 5 at 6 p.m.
