After repeated denials for rezoning requests from both Harvey County Commissioners and planning and zoning board, Print Crypto Inc. filed an appeal with the courts to overturn the decision. Since late 2022, the county heard from both Butler Rural Electric Cooperative and Print Crypto, Inc. about the Bitcoin mining operation taking place at the cooperative’s substation located at 8399 S.E. 84th, Whitewater. The company received a conditional use permit, and Print Crypto, Inc. paid Butler Electric to use one acre of land for its Bitcoin mining operation. After Planning and Zoning Director Karen Rothe received several complaints from neighboring residents, Rothe brought the issue up to the planning and zoning board. Over the course of several meetings, the board heard both from neighbors who complained about the noise as well as road blockages. Owners of both Print Crypto and Butler Electric spoke to the board, requesting a zoning change from A-1 agricultural to rural development services. Both the planning and zoning board and county commission denied the rezoning, stating that the change doesn’t align with the county comprehensive plan or meet the necessary criteria.
Source: Harvey County Now
