Wellfleet board amends livestock permit to allow second donkey at 215 Paine Hollow Road

The Wellfleet Zoning Board of Appeals voted to amend an existing special permit for 215 Paine Hollow Road to allow a second donkey on the property. Homeowner Lisa Wyndorf, speaking with co‑owner Denise Wells, said the request follows further research showing donkeys are herd animals and that adding a donkey would improve animal welfare; she said the pair had identified animals at a rescue organization referred to in the record as "Mere North."

Wyndorf described plans to bring the animals home when the barn is completed and said the current horse is boarded in Harwich. Board members asked whether any changes to manure management were required; the chair noted that manure and conservation/health matters fall under conservation commission/health department oversight and that permit conditions otherwise remain unchanged. The board moved to amend the special permit, the motion was seconded, and members voted in favor by voice vote.

Members present expressed warm support, with one board member noting prior positive letters about the farm and another saying plans felt "lovely." The board confirmed it did not need to re‑stamp plans because the permit text was unchanged aside from the additional animal allowance.