BRENHAM PLANNING AND ZONING TO CONSIDER PROHIBITING COMMERCIAL CRYPTO MINING AT HOMES
The Brenham Planning and Zoning Commission will discuss cryptocurrency and whether to disallow cryptocurrency mining in residential areas at its meeting this (Monday) evening.
The commission will seek to amend the city’s code of ordinances pertaining to limitations on home occupations. The new language, if approved, would prohibit commercial cryptocurrency mining as a home occupation or hobby.
This past fall, the city received a request for additional electricity for a single-family home to support large, state-of-the-art computer systems needed for DigiCoin trading. The city met with the property owner to discuss the additional electrical upgrades for the proposed use, allowing an additional 1,200 amps of electrical service to the standard 200 amps.
Since approval, city staff say the electricity load for the residential property has been excessive, to the point the usage is the same as found in large commercial contracts. A major difference is the deposit associated with utility accounts based on the use of the property; according to the city, currency mining at a home does not require any additional deposit for service, and properties with currency mining generate bills that far surpass the $300 deposit if a bill were to default.
The city says further research from staff has led to findings that cryptocurrency mining has additional impacts and, if allowed to continue in residential zoned areas, could result in the need for additional and costly infrastructure. Therefore, language has been drafted to define and disallow commercial cryptocurrency mining and server farms in residential areas.
Also tonight, commissioners will consider a commercial replat request from Appel Hill Properties, LP and HH Brenham Holdings, LP. The property owners seek to replat their three tracts in the Appel Business Park on Highway 290 West, next to Robert C. Appel Drive, into two tracts. The replat would allow further development and expansion of their existing automobile dealership. Staff recommends approval of the request.
The commission will meet today at 5:15 p.m. at Brenham City Hall.
Click here to read the agenda packet for today's meeting.