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COMINS TWP. — Investors were approved for a special use permit to open a sawmill on Perry Creek Road, but are looking for a new location to avoid issues in court with neighbors near the original property.

“They (neighbors) are talking about Circuit Court and such,” said John Gusler, one of the investors in GC Landholdings LLC, which wants to open the mill. “Everything is being put off right now. As of right now, we are looking for a new site.”

The special use permit to open the sawmill was approved by the Comins Township Planning Commission Aug. 19, but some property owners near the permitted property were concerned about noise and sound pollution, an increase in trucking traffic and decreasing property values. A 21-day window, after the permit was approved, was opened for appeals, giving potential appellants until Sept. 9 to formally appeal the permit.

County Clerk Jeri Winton said appeals have to be filed with Circuit Court, but said she knows of none filed so far.

“I had a gentleman come in and question how he does it,” Winton said.

She added that she instructed him to speak to an attorney about appealing the permit.

“That’s the only thing I can really tell him,” she said.

Gusler, who owns the Fairview Wood Yard, said the search for a new site for the sawmill will push back the entire process of constructing and opening the mill.

“It’s going to take a bit longer,” he said, adding he believes another location can be found. “There are other places that are willing to help, and this township is willing to help.”