A crypto mining ordinance for Gilmer County and an amended land use ordinance have both cleared first readings unanimously.
Both ordinances passed their first votes following public hearings before the regular session Nov. 9.
Two people spoke during the crypto mining public hearing.
Carole Davis told the commissioners she had concerns about crypto mining in Gilmer County. She said she hoped commissioners considered the neighbors in the ordinance.
Curt Ashley, who has been attending meetings and telling commissioners he is planning a liquid cooled crypto mining operation for part of his property located of Eller Road, voiced concerns about several details in the proposed ordinance.
Gilmer County is proposing limiting crypto mining operations to 60 decibels of noise. Ashley walked around the meeting room with a sound meter and told commissioners an air purifier was at 63 decibels.
He also questioned the necessity for an 8-foot security fence, which is also part of the ordinance.
“I’m not going to build an 8-foot fence,” he told commissioners.
Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris told Ashley, the board was trying to create an ordinance which would protect residents. He said the resulting ordinance was a compromise.
Ashley said give him time to figure out the rules and he “will beat the heck out of you with them.”
As part of the land use ordinance, commissioners are changing the shoulder width for new developments to allow for 10 feet for utilities.
They did allow for the possibility of one shoulder being reduced to 3 feet for topography.
Part of the changes also require the planning and zoning office to map out the placement of utilities so every utility would know where their lines would be located.
Other business
﹣ Commissioners voted to rename a portion of Highway 282 as the Mike Gibbs Memorial Highway.
“Everyone is very much in favor of that one,” said Paris.
﹣ At the work session Nov. 8, Paris told the board the new pool was undergoing a leak test before the final sealer was put on the concrete.