The Cherokee County complaints have inspired Buncombe officials to consider a year-long moratorium on cryptocurrency mine development while they consider further regulation, or a ban, of land use.
At its April 4 regular meeting, the Buncombe County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing on the moratorium for Tuesday, May 2. (Chairman Brownie Newman and Commissioner amanda edwards were not present). If approved, the moratorium it would last until next May so county staff can develop a permanent cryptocurrency mining regulation for inclusion in a future zoning ordinance.
Cherokee County is now home to at least three of those mines, computer banks that work out the complex math behind cryptocurrency transactions in exchange for the cryptocurrency itself. Those electronics generate a lot of heat and must be cooled, often by noisy fan systems, which has led to complaints from the community.
According to reports from the USA Today, Residents of the Cherokee County town of Murphy say a mine has fans so loud it has significantly reduced their quality of life. Buncombe County Commissioner terri wells He said he became aware of Murphy's problems and brought the crypto mine considerations to county staff. He also raised concerns about electricity usage, water demand, and e-waste generation from crypto mining.
Cryptocurrency mining is not specifically defined in the current zoning of the county, nathan pennington, Buncombe's planning director, told commissioners at the April 4 meeting. He said the moratorium will allow the county to complete its comprehensive plan and develop new standards for intensive land uses that may pose harm to the natural environment, including crypto mining. It's unclear to what extent mining companies are looking to locate in Buncombe, he added, as they are generally looking for flat, cheap land, of which the county has little.
Meanwhile, the Cherokee County Board of County Commissioners is considering the adoption of a noise ordinance due to the roar of crypto-mining fans, according to the minutes of a January 23 meeting. The commissioners also presented state legislators with a resolution calling for a ban on cryptocurrency mining.
In other news
Buncombe County may acquire 342 acres on Spivey Mountain in the Deaverview community for a county park, if officials agree to partner with the nonprofit Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy.
The property, located about 5 miles from downtown Asheville, it was bought in march for about $7.3 million by Deaverview Mountain LLC, a Raleigh-based legal entity. According an informative presentation on April 4 by Allison DainsBuncombe's director of parks and recreation, the owner is "a conservation-minded person" who has given SAHC a three-year option to purchase the property and donate it to the county as a park.
โThis is a place that we have an opportunity to preserve for wildlife. [and] scenic beauty, but perhaps most importantly, it's a place people can get to. It is an excellent opportunityโ. saying Charles SilversteinSAHC Executive Director.
The total cost of acquiring the land is estimated at almost $8.9 million. SAHC has applied for approximately $4.4 million in federal grant funds, which if approved would leave about $4.5 million for the county or other funders to contribute. If the county acquires the land, there would be an opportunity to build a parking lot, restrooms, educational kiosks and multi-modal trails, Dains said, with construction beginning in 2027.
Notary Al Whitesides expressed concern about the price of the property.
โAs a taxpayer, what we're getting ourselves into, this is something Buncombe County hasn't done before. Would it be cheaper if we asked the state to help?โ Whitesides asked. โThis is great, and it will be great for us, but I hope we realize what we're picking up here. It's not going to be cheap."
jay leutzeSAHC's senior board adviser, said North Carolina officials recommended that SAHC look for a county park and noted that the state is already working to establish Pisgah View State Park in the western part of Buncombe County. Silverstein added that SAHC will seek as much additional funding from outside sources as possible during the three-year timeline set by the new owner.
Wells said she's most excited about the property because of its proximity to Asheville.
โThis mountain forest has tremendous potential to provide our community with educational and recreational opportunities, and I especially love that with public access, anyone can enjoy the best view in Asheville,โ he said.
