The Niles Township Planning Commission has postponed a decision on whether or not to approve a special land use permit that would allow Earth Smart Environmental Solutions to move forward with opening a waste treatment, storage and disposal facility on South Third Street.

Planning commission member Richard Cooper said more than a dozen members of the public spoke against the opening of the facility at Monday’s public hearing, which lasted more than two hours.

“I didn’t hear anyone from the public that was in favor of it,” he said.

Cooper said commission members decided they needed more time to process the information before considering the permit.

“We got a lot of input from the public last night,” he said. “I don’t think at that point we were ready to make a decision on that.”

A date has not been set for the next meeting, although Cooper said a decision would likely be made at or before the commission’s next regularly scheduled meeting July 12.

Approximately 70 local residents signed a petition opposing the opening of the facility. It was submitted to the planning commission.

Akos Kovach, who circulated the petition, said a spill at the facility could contaminate nearby natural resources and devalue surrounding properties.

“I don’t think it is good for the community,” said Kovach, whose property neighbors the site of the proposed facility. “If a mistake is made, Brandywine Creek is done. There is a lot to lose here.”

Earth Smart Environmental Solutions, which is based in Florida, provides environmental management services for government and commercial organizations.

In its application for a special land use permit, the company said it plans to open the facility at 1400 S. Third St., the site of the former Green Giant mushroom plant, which it purchased last spring.

Earth Smart said in the application it would use one of the five buildings on the site to temporarily store non-hazardous, hazardous and medical waste, including fuel, pharmaceuticals, bandages, mercury devices and aerosol cans, to name a few.

Co-owner David Hux told the Daily Star Monday the facility would be regulated by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Michigan Department of Transportation. He said the waste would not be disposed of or stored long-term on site and that it would be bulked and shipped to treatment facilities elsewhere.

In its application, the company said it primarily works with Veterans Affairs’ medical centers and the EPA.