Reptile & Amphibian Forums

THE ENQUIRER (Battle Creek, Michigan) 25 March 06 'Gator park on planners' agenda (Nick Schirripa)
Convis Township: Proponents and opponents of a proposed alligator sanctuary in Convis Township will meet Monday to debate the future of David Critchlow's concept.
Critchlow, a Pennfield Township resident, has spent the past eight years building an alligator sanctuary in his back yard, and he is looking to move his rescued crocodilians about five miles to property in Convis Township.
Critchlow has applied to the township for special-use zoning for about 20 acres on S Drive North, but some of the neighboring residents said they aren't thrilled to have alligators as neighbors, nor do they want the increased traffic the sanctuary likely would bring.
Designed for the hills, valleys, tall grasses and wooded areas of the 20-acre parcel, Critchlow's proposed zoological park and alligator sanctuary would feature three ponds for dozens of alligators, an iguana display and a tropical nursery, all connected by walking trails and observation decks.
A public hearing is scheduled for the township planning commission meeting Monday. Township officials said they don't have a clear idea of what decision might be made, but they hope people on both sides of the proposal come to the meeting with an open mind.
Critchlow's proposal includes parking for 76 vehicles, including three buses, as well as a 60-seat amphitheater, but he said he expects an additional six to eight cars per day on S Drive North.
Julia Schafer, Convis Township supervisor, said she understands one of Critchlow's missions is reptile education, but the potential traffic increase remains a concern.
"The project provides for 73 automobile spaces and three bus parking spaces, as well as a 60-seat amphitheater," she said. "I don't know that the infrastructure can support that kind of traffic, and that's a lot of growth for the middle part of our township."
Karen O'Rourke and her husband own the 28 acres west of the proposed sanctuary. From her dining room, O'Rourke looks out a picture window at a creek, birds, acres of woods and wetlands. She said she often sees deer, coyotes and even otters.
"We walk our land and our swamp all the time. We enjoy our property," she said. "I moved out here in the country and expected a private, natural setting. If I wanted a public setting, I would have bought a home in the city."
O'Rourke said she enjoys the quiet environment of her country home, and she fears the sanctuary would bring a lot of traffic, as well as safety concerns.
"Will I feel safe in my own yard knowing there's a reptile park next door?" she said. "I'll always have that in the back of my mind."
The nine-acre sanctuary will be about 500 feet from O'Rourke's property line, Critchlow said, and all its features would be hidden from sight.
Ponds and displays will be in a valley, Critchlow said, and the view from bordering property and the road will be obscured by earthen banks and rows of trees. There will be a perimeter fence around the entire sanctuary, as well as additional fencing around individual displays.
"If people were to stand on their property or in the road, they wouldn't be able to see anything. Conserving the area and keeping it naturally pristine is important to me," he said. "I want to work with people. I want to be a good neighbor."
Eric Tobin, president of the Michigan Society of Herpetologists, said he has reviewed Critchlow's plan and supports the sanctuary.
"I think his venture is not only one much-needed in Michigan, but I think his operation will be very conservation-minded, educational and a great opportunity for economic development in the area," he said. "The residents probably won't even know it's there. They're not noisy, there should be no smell. Many reptiles have less odor than a cat's litter box."
Larry Holcomb, planning commission chairman, said the planning commission will make a recommendation to the township board, and planning commissioners and township trustees can put conditions on a special-use permit.
Schafer said if the planning commission makes a recommendation Monday, the township board will consider Critchlow's special-use application at the board's April 11 meeting.
'Gator park on planners' agenda

WWMT (Kalamazoo, Michigan) 28 March 06 Later, alligator: Decision on proposed reptile park delayed (Scott Noll)
Lizards, snakes and alligators - no way. That's the cry from people living near a proposed zoological park planned for Convis Township, which is located about 12 miles east of Battle Creek.
About 150 residents packed a township planning meeting Monday night, many opposing the Critchlow Zoological Park and its planned alligator collection.
"They're talking about putting a commercial zoo right across from our house," complained Penny Potter before the meeting. She and her fiance live across from the 20 acres eyed for the project.
"There's a lot of vacant land around this area and to put it across the street from residential, it's kind of inconsiderate," Potter's finace, Tony Tyndal told News 3.
Plans call for 12 acres of education displays, an amphitheater, a picnic pavilion, and gift shop to be built on the property along S Drive North.
David Critchlow wants to develop the property into what he calls a zoological park. He currently runs a smaller reptile farm from his home in Pennfield Township but says his collection needs more space.
"I don't play with poisonous animals. I don't plan on any poisonous animals. That's not my passion. My passion is for the alligators, mainly, and crocodiles,” Critchlow told the crowd, trying to ease fears. He promised display areas and the park would be encircled by fences and be watched by an on-site manager at all times.
Critchlow says he owns more than 30 alligators and crocodiles, but that number could swell to 100 if the park becomes a reality.
"When I walk out my front door, what am I going to see in my yard someday?" worried one resident at Monday's meeting.
Many believed an alligator escape was unavoidable. But people living near Critchlow's current collection of crocodiles and gators say they've never had a problem with the operation in more than 10 years.
"We haven't had anything like that," said Julie Thiel, who lives across the street. "David and [wife] Carmen have educated us and my grandchildren here so we don't feel afraid," said Thiel. In fact, she considers the reptile farm a good neighbor. "My relatives come and they all want to go across the street and see the reptile farm. It is an asset to us," she said.
That's fine with Potter. Looking down S Drive North at a line of homemade signs opposing the farm she said, "If they love him so much, why don't they keep him. He's not welcomed here at all."
Township planners say they need more information before deciding whether or not to grant the zoological park a use permit. The land is currently zoned for agricultural use.
Planners will revisit the debate in late May.
Decision on proposed reptile park delayed