NARROWSBURG, NY — The Tusten planning board tabled consideration of an application for a special use permit for the operation of a sawmill at a meeting on August 18. The Big Dog Sawmill has been in operation for a couple of years at a location on Route 97 north of Narrowsburg. But the operator did not obtain a special-use permit, which is required for a sawmill in the Recreational River District in which the property is located.

About 20 neighbors showed up for the public hearing regarding the sawmill, and lodged complaints about noise generated by it, as well as other impacts such as additional traffic and smoke coming from the facility. They also complained that the establishment of a sawmill at the proposed location would result in lowered property values in the neighborhood.

Kevin Freda, who with his wife Donna owns the sawmill, said the smoke is from a furnace that heats his home; the sawmill does not create any smoke. Donna read off a list of decibel recordings that she said were within reasonable limits.

There was some confusion because there are two different zoning schedules on the town website with conflicting information. In the document labeled Zoning Code EAF 7-15-13 – 2013, sawmills are listed as a special use and therefore are allowed in the Recreational River District with the appropriate permit. In the document labeled Schedule of District Regulations, sawmills are not listed as a special use or a principal permitted use, and would therefore be considered a prohibited use, requiring a variance from the zoning board of appeals.

Chairman Ed Jackson, chairman of the planning board, said that under the current correct town code sawmills are a special use in the district.

Travis North, from the Sullivan County Planning Department, said the county has an interest in the property because the river corridor is a significant area in the county. He said the department considers the sawmill application to be incomplete, and a detailed site plan and more information are required before the application could be considered.

Jackson made a motion to table the application until next month, which was unanimously approved by the board.

A member of the audience asked if the sawmill would be allowed to operate while the application is pending. Jackson said that was a question for the code enforcement officer, not the planning board. Freda said he had not operated the sawmill for the past three months.