Planning board approves applicant’s request to increase permitted miniature cattle from two to three

The Grand Island Planning board approved an amendment to a livestock permit allowing an applicant identified as Lindsey (applicant) to keep three miniature Highland cattle on her 5½-acre property, the board decided during a public meeting.

Board action came after Lindsey described the animals as very small—“They’re 42 inches tall, so they’re smaller than a Great Dane,” she said—and outlined where she plans to keep them, animal sheltering and waste-management methods, and neighbor outreach. Board members asked about fencing, setbacks and inspection steps before voting to approve the change.

Why it matters: The decision changes an existing permit condition and clarifies on-site requirements for animal shelter and waste handling on a rural residential property. It also establishes a short next step: a field inspection by town staff to confirm site arrangements before final administrative sign-off.

Board discussion and applicant details Lindsey told the board she already keeps two miniature Highland cattle and requested the permit be amended to allow a third; two animals were present on site and a third was still with its dam, she said. She said she aims to move the animals’ grazing area further back on the parcel (from about 150 feet to about 300 feet from her house) and ideally provide roughly a half-acre of pasture once relocated; she said the current grazing area is about one-quarter acre. The applicant said the animals are kept behind approximately 6-foot fencing.

Lindsey described planned animal-care practices and neighbor contact: she said she has worked with Sharon Bachman at Cornell University on a “deep litter” composting and hemp-bedding method for stalls and that she has a designated composting area well back on the property. She also said an immediate neighbor attended the hearing and had no objections; another neighbor was unable to attend but had indicated support in writing.

Board members asked several practical questions. A board member asked whether the animals were fenced and how waste would be managed; Lindsey answered that the current fence is about 6 feet tall and described the deep-litter composting approach and a remote composting site. A board member asked for dimensions of the existing animal shelter; Lindsey said the shed in use measures about 10 by 12 feet and that she plans to repurpose another 10-by-14 structure on the lot for chickens.

Procedural steps and inspection Board members indicated Nick (staff member) would visit the property to verify conditions; Lindsey said Nick was scheduled to visit Thursday. The board recorded neighbor outreach and on-site details as part of the file before approving the permit amendment.

Votes and outcome The board voted to change the authorized number of miniature cattle from two to three and the motion carried with the board’s affirmative vote. The board also approved routine agenda items earlier in the meeting including last meeting’s minutes and a voucher, each by voice vote.

Context and related items During the meeting members briefly discussed zoning and planning resources, training opportunities (including seminars available through the New York Planning Federation) and the town’s long-range review of grading and fill rules, which staff said may prompt future zoning-level discussion and referral.

What remains: The board’s approval included an inspection step: staff will confirm fencing, shelter dimensions and composting arrangements on site before final administrative sign-off. The permit file will record neighbor support letters and the applicant’s written statement describing animal housing and husbandry.