CEDAR FALLS — A public input meeting is happening Wednesday to discuss a proposed power plant and potential cryptocurrency mining facility in the city’s Southwest Industrial Park.
City leaders are considering rezoning a portion of the industrial park. A cryptocurrency facility has expressed interest in using the land, but a zoning change could prevent that project from moving forward.
The Planning and Zoning Commission is working on new rules to regulate cryptocurrency facilities. These facilities use powerful computers to validate transactions and secure blockchain networks.
Cedar Falls Mayor Danny Laudick said the focus is on establishing clear regulations and clarifying what would and would not be allowed if the project proceeds. Cedar Falls Utilities initially sought multi-use zoning but has changed its request.
“CFU is now requesting instead to have it zoned public,” Laudick said. “I think there’s a lot of that concern around the multi-use of M2–what would be allowed and wouldn’t be allowed. So that request has been changed to just zoning it public, which would really only allow for CFU’s power center.”
He explained that public zoning would limit development options.
“No other uses would be allowed in that if it’s not public use, so things like cryptocurrency, data centers, would not be allowed in that area,” Laudick said.
No final recommendations will be made at Wednesday’s meeting.