The Anderson County Board of Commissioners is considering three zoning amendments to regulate data centers, cryptocurrency mining operations, and battery energy storage facilities. Prompted by concerns over noise, property impacts, and heavy water and electricity demands, the proposed regulations would restrict these facilities to industrial zones, mandate a minimum property size of eight acres, cap maximum sound levels, and require written proof from power distributors that the local grid can support them.

While there are currently no active applications or planned projects in unincorporated Anderson County, Mayor Terry Frank has also requested a legal opinion on a potential moratorium to buy commissioners more time to study the issue if needed. Without these updates, the county’s 1977 zoning resolution remains silent on such facilities, leaving officials with little oversight and forcing the Board of Zoning Appeals to make subjective judgment calls.

This regulatory push mirrors recent actions across East Tennessee, where neighboring municipalities like Knoxville, Knox County, Blount County, and Rocky Top are also developing guidelines or enacting moratoriums on data centers.