Complaints have been growing recently about the operation of a wood processing business in Cleveland. The Cleveland City Council addressed the matter Thursday night during a called meeting.
City Administrator Kevin Harris told the council that the number of complaints from citizens has been increasing concerning the noise and sawdust coming from White County Molding, a division of Atlanta Hardwoods, Inc. which is located at 176 Appalachian Trail.
The concerns have come primarily from residents of Pine Hill Drive, which is a community that has homes that back up to the company’s operation.
Harris stated in the last five business days, they have had two status meetings about this issue with fire, police, zoning officials, and city administration.
He told the council that the city has filed an official complaint with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. EPD representatives are due to come to Cleveland within the next ten days to investigate the situation.
Company pledges half-million dollar remedy
Harris said the company, after several meetings, pledged $500,000 to put toward a solution within the next two weeks. White County Molding agreed to cease operations at 10:30 a.m. voluntarily. Friday to work on a solution.
Harris revealed that this is not something new; it’s been an issue since 2021, and he said they are determined to clear it up
“We are serious about addressing this problem, finding a real-time remedy,” Harris told the council. “Sometimes this thing does not happen overnight, but on the flip side, we’ve got to be diligent to making sure consistent progress (is made). We’re not afraid to use any means at our disposal to make sure our citizens are safe in their own communities.”
A few residents of the Pine Hill Drive neighborhood attended the October 12 meeting. One of them, Troy Bennett, told the council the situation is “a nightmare.”
City Councilman CJ McDonald lives in Pine Hill Drive, and he expressed his frustration saying, “Their word is worthless to me frankly, and I want action taken to ensure we’re safe.”
