Planning commission recommends against WOLF expansion

By Cherry Sokoloski
North Forty News

In an Oct. 17 meeting that saw passionate arguments on both sides, the Larimer County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend denial of a request by Wolves Offered Love and Friendship to expand its facilities.

WOLF runs a wolf hybrid sanctuary in Rist Canyon and received approval in 1999 to keep up to 30 animals at the facility. The organization is now requesting permission to expand to 60 animals, enlarge the acreage of the sanctuary and relax some of the reporting conditions set in 1999.

The county commissioners, who have the final say on WOLF's request, will take up the matter at a Dec. 3 hearing.

About 70 people packed the planning commission's hearing to voice concerns about and support for WOLF, located on property owned by Frank and Pat Wendland. Those expressing concerns were mostly neighbors, while supporters were largely WOLF volunteers who help care for the wolf hybrids.

The voice that seemed to speak the loudest to planning commissioners was that of Bob Gann, Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department chief, who called the WOLF sanctuary "indefensible" in case of wildfire.

"The fire department does not support this expansion," said Gann, adding that he would not send firefighters to the facility if a fire broke out.

He also said it would not be feasible to evacuate 30 or 60 animals in case of fire. "I will not allow people to try to evacuate them," he said. "The people leave, the animals stay."

WOLF attorney Stewart McNab said there is an evacuation plan for the animals if there is enough warning. If not, there is a plan for the animals to "survive in place." However, Kathy Dykstra of Redstone Estates cited the problem of road congestion in case of fire.

"We can't wait for all those dogs to get out when human life is at stake," she said.

Besides the fire issue, neighbors' concerns were focused on noise, property values and safety. "We all know that accidents happen - dogs escape," said Tom Holtzer of Redstone Estates.

Some neighbors were also concerned about road maintenance on the 2.5-mile stretch of private road leading to the WOLF facility.

Kathryn Stowe, who presented a petition from 73 Redstone Estates residents against the expansion, described the WOLF animals as "dogs with attitudes, not wolves." She said noise from the sanctuary is a problem and the kennel has never been compatible with the neighborhood. WOLF has alienated most of the neighbors, she added.

"The applicant will never be content with a set number of animals, and the neighborhood will continue to suffer," Stowe said.

McNab defended the expansion request, saying WOLF has "the space and expertise to handle the additional animals." He said the organization plans to use the same number of volunteers in order not to increase the number of trips per day to the facility. He also noted that the noise level of the sanctuary, measured at the property line, does not exceed the county's noise standard. He said the county has received no noise complaints since 1999.

"WOLF has met its obligations," he said.

Several WOLF volunteers also spoke in favor of expansion. "These animals have no place to go. There is no 'further out' anymore," said Laura Sebastian of Fort Collins, who has volunteered at the facility for four years.

Sebastian also said the WOLF sanctuary is the best she has ever worked at. Her opinion was echoed by Bear Gebhardt of Fort Collins, a free-lance journalist who has researched wolf hybrid refuges throughout the United States.

"What we have going here is the cream of the crop in the country," he said.

"We're hearing a lot of big, bad wolf stories tonight," said Mary Dobbs of Lyons, who has raised wolf hybrids. She attributed the bad publicity to a lack of education. "They're gentle animals," she said.

Irene Holtzer, a Redstone Estates resident, referred to WOLF volunteers as "soft-hearted individuals" who live in communities that have banned wolf hybrids. "Most states now forbid possession of these animals," she said. "You're putting the well-being of these animals ahead of the safety of my grandchildren."

Commissioner Gerald Hart said the main issue with the WOLF request seems to be compatibility with the neighborhood. "It's very clear the vast majority of neighbors do not consider it compatible," he noted.

Commissioner Roger Morgan added that with the wildfire issues of the past 10 years, it would be irresponsible to approve the expansion when the fire chief has weighed in against it.