The Cottonwood County Planning Commission held a Public Hearing yesterday afternoon concerning the Revolve Labs a Crypto Mining Company and their request for a Conditional Use Permit. The meeting was a little over 3 hours long and A LOT of information was presented. There was a crowd of approximately 110 people and everyone that was present signed in and there was also a sheet to sign if you would like to have your voice and concerns heard. Revolve Labs had the floor first to explain what they are all about and what they are proposing. Jeff St Onge, Senior Operations Manager introduced Joby Hammond marketing manager and Caroline Welsand, Windom Site Supervisor and then gave a presentation with their numbers and facts. Revolve Labs has purchased land in the Shoreline District and hope to construct their business on said property. Jeff stated that their Containers are 1,000 feet away from roadways and residential housing and they will sit lower in the hill and they plan to create 12 foot berms that will be surrounded with trees and eco-friendly sound deadening habitat. Their goal is to blend their noise into the natural habitat. Revolve Labs has 12 containers that will be onsite but only plan at this time to use six containers as the others will sit dormant. The Conditional Use Permit they are seeking at this time is only for the six containers and if they were to ever expand, they would need to go through this entire process again. The crowd was respectful during the presentation and listened as Jeff talked about project details, Site information and details, berm and landscaping, facilities and infrastructure, community relations, community concerns that he was aware of, Lighting and Security, and then thanked those that they had been working with for this project. Alex Schultz, Planning and Zoning Technician then read nine e-mails that were sent each stating that they were not in favor of this project. There was one e-mail that was sent from the US Fish and Wildlife Service that listed five points this e-mail can be shared if anyone is interested, they can contact Alex Schultz. There were 28 individuals that stepped forward to speak on behalf of themselves and some speaking for their parents. There was not one person who stood up in favor of allowing the permit to be issued. To give an idea of what everyone said more than once were words and phrases of “who benefits from this? Don’t let Windom be the Guinea pig. This is an experiment. What about human and animal health issues. Consistent noise can cause high blood pressure and hearing loss. One person wanted to know if this was an issue committed to by the City and then dumped on the County. There was a lot of confusion due to lack of communication prior to this meeting, people wanted to know why they weren’t informed prior to this date. Someone pointed out that this area is a protected area for Swans and Eagles. Sound issues just don’t dissipate. Sounds will resonate and echo. Electricity is a precious resource, and Windom won’t be able to handle it, don’t forget the disaster of the Pork Plant. Why is this in an Agricultural Zone when it should be in the Industrial Park? We must keep the integrity of our infrastructure. One resident in that area stated when there is a concert at the lake they can hear and feel the noise and vibrations until the concert is over. This they can live with because it comes to an end but this is 24/7. One person pointed out that the company says their hours are 8-4 Mon-Friday but the noise is 24/7 it is constant even after employees leave. Property values going down and the issues of some frequencies that can cause extreme health issues. Tech-waste and Environmental Issues and Noise… Personally, I thought the Planning Commission did a good job of letting everyone speak their thoughts and opinions. Questions were answered by the Commission, Jason Skora from Windom Electric Department and by Tiffany Lamb Windom EDA Director. The Planning Commission after discussion moved forward with a purpose of finding out more facts and implications of sound and environmental drag from the noise. It was approved by the Planning commission to grant a moratorium for any application for a conditional use permit. And to recommend to the Cottonwood County Board of Commissioners to set a moratorium(a temporary prohibition of an activity) until an EAW (Environmental Assessment Worksheet) is completed. Once this study is completed another public hearing will be established. If you would like to read up on how the EAW/EIS works you can go to https://www.eqb.state.mn.us/environmental-review/overview/environmental-assessment-worksheet-eaw-process
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It’s August 30th and I’ve loved this day since I was born! It’s my Day of All Days… IF you have never read the “Happy Birthday To You” by Dr Suess honestly I don’t know if you have truly lived a full life. It started when our Nater Gator got the book when he turned 3 years old…. Yep… EVERY Year after that (we are going on 32 years) on everyone’s Birthday we would huddle together and read the book. We always let the Birthday Boy or Girl choose who was going to read. You would think this was an honor BUT you’d be wrong… I mean there were so many Who-Bubs, Clip and Clop with Clapping Clippers that Nip and snip with clipping Cloppers!!! AND If you’d never been born, then you might be an ISN’T! an Isn’t has no fun at all, No he disn’t. He never has birthdays and that isn’t pleasant. You have to be born, or you don’t get a present. It is a tongue twisting never ending book of laughter and joy BUT I wouldn’t change the feeling of family and love that transformed each and every time it was read. It sums it up with a fantastic message… “Today you are you! That is truer than true! There is no one alive who is you-er than you! Shout loud, “I am lucky to be what I am! Thank goodness I’m not just a clam or a ham or a dusty old jar of sour gooseberry jam! I am what I am! That’s a great thing to be! If I say so myself, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!” I am also seeing a pattern of why I am who I am because today is also National Beach Day which just happens to be my ultimate favorite place. I mean sitting amongst the sand with the water lapping at your feet just feeling the vibe of ultimate peace. God truly knew what he was doing when he made water and land and how it would affect the inner soul. I’m old school and found joy that it is actually National Slinky Day! Believe it or not, we have MANY Slinky’s in our house and they are favorites of all our grandkids when they come to visit. I ask you what is a home without a slinky? Young or old the sound of the Slinky as you shuffle it in your hands is next to none. And last but not least it is National Toasted Marshmallow Day. That oooeeyy gooey mess is making my mouth water and I DO know that I will be celebrating this tonight. Are you a burnt on the outside or love them just perfectly toasted to light golden brown. ANYTIME of the year a roasted marshmallow can bring your old bones back to a simpler time in life that is worth visiting…