The Pickens County Board of Commissioners discussed a proposed temporary moratorium on new industrial zoning applications after reviewing recent cases in neighboring counties where industrial rezonings for large cryptocurrency operations generated noise, heavy power use and public opposition.
Unidentified Speaker (S1) described visits and reports from neighboring jurisdictions and recommended placing a 90-day moratorium on newly created industrial zones so staff and counsel can craft ordinance language that would govern how the county handles such applications, whether specific to crypto or to similar industrial uses. He said the moratorium would be temporary and intended to give the county time to ‘‘get the language to include on how those would be managed.’’
The board asked staff to prepare a resolution for the upcoming regular meeting so the county can review proposed rules and public-notice plans before further industrial zoning petitions arrive.
No moratorium was enacted at this work session; commissioners directed staff to place the resolution on the agenda for formal consideration.