RENO IRON WORKS BUILDING UPDATES

The latest updates on the proposed ±40,000 square foot building construction project next to our adoption center

October 13, 2023

SPCA-NN Executive Director, Jill Vacchina Dobbs, was recently interviewed on Renoites podcast. This bonus content includes her summary of the Reno Iron Works project and where it stands now.

Listen to the interview HERE.

August 24, 2023

The fact that we are unable to pay the $197,000 bond to keep our stay in place is heartbreaking and beyond disappointing. Ultimately, we couldn’t raise enough money specifically for the bond amount and our general fund monies are already committed to other mission-centric purposes.

Please be assured that our appeal is still pending in the Nevada Court of Appeals, and we have demonstrated a likelihood of success (as the Second District Court expressly acknowledged). If SPCA-NN wins its appeal, then our matter will be remanded back before the Reno City Council where they will have to face their mistakes along with Reno Iron Works (RIW). We reasonably believe it is the City’s legal responsibility to require effective mitigations on the RIW project to protect SPCA-NN’s existing facility and the vulnerable animals we house and protect every day.

SPCA-NN was northern Nevada’s original “no-kill” organization and we remain dedicated to our constant mission to save and improve the lives of pets!

I usually try to avoid the term “no kill” as it’s problematic and antiquated…as a progressive, thoughtful, trained animal welfare professional dedicated to best practices I don’t believe it serves our animals, mission, or community, but instead is confusing and divisive. I use it now to emphasize a sea change—for the first time in 10 years, our community-wide live release rate is falling.

Adoptable dogs are being euthanized for space throughout Nevada because there are too many unwanted pets and not enough shelter space, money, staff, or resources to humanely house, care for, and rehome them all. And adoption rates for dogs continue to decrease with the lack of affordable, pet-friendly housing a top barrier in our area. Let me be clear, SPCA-NN has not and will not euthanize for space, but many of our partners are because they have no other choice, and SPCA-NN isn’t big enough to take them all.

Despite past changes in leadership (staff and board) over the last 25 years of our existence, SPCA-NN has not wavered from our life-saving mission. Leadership has always remained committed to our mission. Yes, we’ve had to reduce programs at times based on financial and staffing shortfalls over the decades, but we’ve never stopped prioritizing pets in need. For the last 7 years that I’ve led our small and mighty pack, we’ve increased and improved our efforts to better serve homeless pets and our community’s growing needs to keep their pets.

We are experiencing a dramatic increase in unwanted pets throughout our region (and beyond), increased expenses, and increased need to transfer far more adoptable pets from Washoe County Regional Animal Services (WCRAS) to prevent their unnecessary euthanasia simply because there isn’t enough kennel space. WCRAS is a valued partner, and their team does incredible, important work. I am grateful for them every day! The current declining state of animal welfare is not their burden to shoulder alone, and we stand with them in collaborative teamwork dedicated to doing all within our collective power to save every adoptable animal we possibly can.

Homeless pets are depending on us.

We will continue to be here for them.

Will you please continue to be here for SPCA of Northern Nevada?

We are in crisis and these pets deserve loving, safe homes.

Please adopt and/or donate now!

Truly,

Jill Vacchina Dobbs, Executive Director

July 3, 2023

On June 22, 2023, held a hearing argument on RIW’s request that SPCA-NN be required to pay a bond following the motion for stay.

The District Court’s decision to grant Reno Iron Works (RIW) a bond is extremely disappointing. RIW’s interests are secured (in at least two different ways) while SPCA-NN’s appeal to the Nevada Appellate Court is pending, which they expressly acknowledged during the bond issue hearing. SPCA-NN has also shown a likelihood of success on appeal, which the District Court found in its motion granting our stay pending the outcome of our appeal.

The District Court failed to include any legal analysis or justification for its decision, which is also frustrating.

The SPCA-NN board of directors, executive leadership, and high-level stakeholders will discuss next steps after the 4^th of July holiday week.

We are all very concerned this order will effectively prevent SPCA-NN’s access to justice since the amount is so high and the outcome is uncertain—as it always is with litigation.

June 21, 2023

About two weeks ago, the Nevada Supreme Court denied Reno Iron Work’s motion to invalidate the District Court’s order granting SPCA-NN a temporary stay on RIW’s construction pending the outcome of SPCA-NN’s appeal filed with the Nevada Appellate Court.

The Nevada Supreme Court’s order also required that the District Court independently consider RIW’s request that SPCA-NN be required to pay a bond. Each party accordingly filed a motion with the District Court. RIW is arguing that SPCA-NN must put up a bond of approximately $2 million to pay for the alleged delay costs RIW is facing resulting from the stop work order resulting from the stay.

SPCA-NN is arguing that: (1) a bond is not required because RIW’s interests are already secured because if they ultimately prevail in the appeal, then they are free to build their project on the land they own; (2) delay alone is legally insufficient to require a bond; (3) any and all costs are RIW’s own doing since they decided to move forward with construction despite knowing SPCA-NN filed an appeal; and (4) the bond amount RIW is requesting is inappropriate.

The District Court is hearing argument on the bond issue on June 22, 2023.

Friday, April 21, 2023

SPCA-NN has won our motion for stay pending the outcome of our appeal! We are grateful that Judge Sigurdson followed the law and granted our stay. We’re also grateful to our attorney, Luke Busby, and – as always – our community for all of your support!

CLICK HERE to Download Order Granting SPCA-NN Motion For Stay

Friday, April 14, 2023

We have filed an emergency motion for an injunction to stop the irreversible damage that is occurring because RIW has started construction despite our pending appeal.

There is not an automatic stay/injunction when an appeal is filed in Nevada. Despite us reaching out to Reno Iron Works (RIW) multiple times during the last four months asking whether they planned to start construction pending our appeal, they purposely and maliciously ignored us and suddenly started massive dirt work last week. Yet another example of how they, along with the City of Reno, keep ignoring SPCA-NN as the existing facility and refuse to work with us to minimize the harm they are causing to the homeless pets in our care.

We are waiting for Judge Kathleen A. Sigurdson to issue her decision granting or denying our request for an injunction. But the irreparable harm has already occurred and the innocent homeless pets in our care are already suffering. To the homeless pets in our care, their quiet, safe, temporary haven has suddenly become a place of stress and fear, causing increased behavior and stress issues amongst our animals.

We will update this page again once we receive Judge Sigurdson’s decision.

As many of you know, Reno Iron Works (RIW) is trying to build an indoor/outdoor metal fabrication plant on the parcel adjacent to SPCA-NN (northwest of our adoption center). Their plans include removing over 60 feet of the hill and filling the natural drainage behind it with over 40 feet of dirt, then paving over it with a large parking lot, 40,000 square foot building, a pad for future expansion, and more.

Multiple laws were violated during this process, and SPCA-NN has fought against the proposed project every step of the way. This project will be detrimental to our existing operations; specifically, the care and sheltering of vulnerable pets.

We initially lost at the Planning Commission level because City of Reno planning staff did not properly instruct the Commission on what elements they were supposed to review as part of the “master site plan review“ application request. We lost by one vote, and one commissioner was very conflicted about approving the application. Had he been properly instructed by staff, he would have voted no.

Additionally, SPCA-NN also did not receive the legally required notice.

We then appealed the Planning Commission’s decision to the Reno City Council. We had two hearing dates and did well presenting our case.

Again, we lost by one vote.

We then filed a Petition for Review in the Second Judicial District Court, State of Nevada, Washoe County. The court issued their decision last month denying our request for Judicial Review of the City Council’s decision. From a lawyer’s perspective, the order doesn’t make actual determinations regarding the three primary issues we raised.

Needless to say, the Court’s decision was deeply disappointing.

The sustainability of SPCA-NN and the health and safety of the animals in our care are in jeopardy! Accordingly, our dedicated board of directors has unanimously voted to appeal the District Court’s decision to the Nevada Court of Appeals.

Please understand that we are not a litigious organization, and we take no pleasure in this fight. We’d much rather focus our time and resources on our mission. But this metal fabrication plant has other options for build sites, and we cannot allow RIW to jeopardize the very life-saving mission we’ve fulfilled for over twenty years!

We’d like to extend a special THANK YOU to our litigation attorney, Luke Busby, for his passionate advocacy for homeless pets!

We’d also like to thank you, our beloved community, for your constant support! We appreciate the hundreds of supporting letters sent to the City Council during our appeal process, and for the financial gifts received specifically to cover legal expenses. We also thank the following Reno City Council members who followed the law and voted to approve SPCA-NN’s appeal: Mayor Hillary Schieve, Naomi Duerr, and Jenny Brekhus.

Please keep all your fingers, toes, and paws crossed that we ultimately prevail—thousands of pets are counting on us!

Thursday, January 5, 2023

We have decided to appeal the District Court’s decision to the Nevada Court of Appeals.

Additionally, SPCA-NN also did not receive the legally required notice.

We then appealed the Planning Commission’s decision to the Reno City Council. We had two hearing dates and did well presenting our case.

Again, we lost by one vote.

Needless to say, the Court’s decision was deeply disappointing.

We’d like to extend a special THANK YOU to our litigation attorney, Luke Busby, for his passionate advocacy for homeless pets!

Please keep all your fingers, toes, and paws crossed that we ultimately prevail—thousands of pets are counting on us!

Wednesday, August 10, 2022

Despite our unwavering efforts, Reno Iron Works (RIW) still plans to move forward with construction of their metal fabrication plant next to the SPCA of Northern Nevada (SPCA-NN) adoption center.

As animal welfare experts, we believe this project is detrimental to our existing facility and sheltering operations. The impacts from the initial grading (the flattening of an existing 70 ft hill adjacent to SPCA-NN); construction of the 40,000 sq ft metal fabrication facility and accompanying parking lot; semi-truck bays; building pad for future expansion; and the eventual daily operations of their facility will negatively impact the homeless pets in our care as well as our operations.

We have exhausted all other efforts to remedy this, including objection at the Planning Commission hearing (voted 3-2 in favor of the project), and appealing that decision to the City Council (voted 4-3 to deny our appeal).

This project is blatantly incompatible with our existing operations and will harm the pets in our care, and we have now retained an excellent attorney and filed a Petition for Judicial Review of the City Council’s erroneous decision. We have a strong case focused on two primary issues: (1) SPCA-NN did not receive the legally required notice of the project; and (2) the City of Reno failed to prove that the grading permit request and resulting project are compatible with SPCA-NN’s existing use.

We have gone above and beyond to find a mutually beneficial compromise with RIW, including successfully working with them to find an acceptable alternative property. Unfortunately, they’ve decided that mere convenience outweighs the health and safety of our homeless pets and our mission. We have no choice but to hold the City of Reno and RIW accountable for not following the law when they granted the master site plan review project request.

While we take no pleasure in this fight, our job is to advocate for the health and safety of our homeless pets. We must pursue every reasonable avenue to do so.

You can review the City of Reno Staff Report under Agenda Item I-A here.

You can review SPCA-NN’s Petition for Judicial Review here.

Thank you for your continued support to save and improve the lives of pets in need!

SPCA of Northern Nevada

Saturday, May 7, 2022

This construction project is back before the Reno City Council on Wednesday, May 11th at 6:00 pm, and we need your help!

Despite overwhelming odds, SPCA-NN fulfilled its promise to find an appropriate alternative property in 30 days for the proposed industrial metal fabrication project within the requested price range.

But, Reno Iron Works has decided to move forward with the detrimental location right next to SPCA-NN’s Adoption Center.

This proposed project will harm the vulnerable pets that we protect, house, and rehabilitate until we find them loving homes. Accordingly, we need to appear again before the Reno City Council on May 11^th.

Please support us and the homeless pets in our care—they are counting on all of us to stand up for them!

We are asking the Reno City Council to deny the Special Use Permit (SUP)*. Alternatively, if the City Council approves the SUP, then we are requesting that the SUP includes SPCA-NN’s reasonable and critical mitigations to protect thousands of homeless pets!

*SUP stands for Special Use Permit, which is required for the proposed project to grade off the 60+ ft hill on our property line, and cut and fill in the dirt to build the 40,000 sqft. metal manufacturing building.

How can you help?

* Join us, and attend the upcoming City Council meeting, and voice your support for the SPCA’s position on Wednesday, May 11th at 6 pm at City Hall

* Login to the City Council public comment page and voice your opinion online here.

* Call your Ward City Council member and voice your support for the SPCA’s position- find your Council members contact info here.

The SPCA of Northern Nevada is calling on you to help us help homeless pets! See you on Tuesday!

Thursday, April 14, 2022

We need everyone’s HELP finding a new location for this project!

The Reno City Council held a public hearing on the ±40,000 square foot building proposed for construction next to our adoption center. The Council passed a 30-day continuance giving us until May 11th to work with longtime local gem, Reno Iron Works, to find a new location for this project.

Thank you all for supporting us with over fifty public comments and those who attended. We now have a chance to protect our pets and help Reno Iron Works.

Now we desperately need everyone’s HELP so Reno Iron Works and the SPCA of Northern Nevada can survive and thrive! We are seeking an existing building (preferred for a shorter timeline) or buildable property with:

- Appropriate zoning;
- 5 to 10 acres;
- Truck access and turnaround;
- 20,000 to 30,000 sq. ft. of shop space;
- 5,000 to 10,000 sp. ft. of office space;
- 32-foot clear inside for moving cranes; and
- A rail spur (a big plus but not required).

Bill Pelter, owner of Reno Iron Works and the proud parent of a beloved rescue dog, wants to work with us to find an industrial building or industrial-zoned land where he can move his business.

Reno Iron Works has been a local institution for over 100 years. Now, with their building under new ownership, they need to relocate to save their business and the jobs of 50 employees.

This is why we are asking for your help, so that Reno Iron Works can continue doing business and providing jobs in our community, and we can continue saving and improving the lives of pets. Bill’s business and our adoption center are simply incompatible as neighbors.

As we receive more details, we will share updates on this page. Please, reach out to your friends, family, and neighbors- especially those in commercial real estate- to help us find the right location for Reno Iron Works.

Monday, April 11, 2022

Please Help Us Protect Pets in Our Care

We recently learned about a proposed construction project for a ±40,000 square foot industrial manufacturing building next to our SPCA-NN adoption center. This large, metal fabrication project requires hillside development and significant cuts and fills.

How this will impact our pets, and operations, remains unclear. We are actively seeking additional details, and ask for your support as we work with the Project Applicant, the City of Reno, and our community to protect our precious pets.

To learn more about the proposed project, click here (item I.2 on page 7).

Please help us by expressing your support for the SPCA-NN and the animals in our care.

How you can help:

Submit an online public comment form at Reno.Gov/PublicComment
Send an email to publiccomment@reno.gov
Join us at the Reno City Council public hearing this Wednesday, April 13 at 6 p.m.
Attend the meeting via Zoom using this link, and provide a public comment.

Our questions include:

How much noise and dust will construction and day-to-day operations generate? What types of noise generation will occur? How will the noise generation be mitigated so as not to negatively impact the health and well-being of homeless pets in our care?
Will we be given notice of all matters potentially affecting our operations?
What is the construction timeline?
How will this project affect the safety of our pets, staff, and customers? Will the City of Reno provide solutions to our safety concerns?

Thank you for showing up however you can to protect our precious pets.