The owners of the former Appleton Manor withdrew their application to turn it into an inn but say they will eventually submit a new plan.
A site walk originally scheduled for Saturday that would have included a walk of both the property and interior of the manor was canceled, after property owners Masha Shoykhet and Gabriel Logounov notified the town they were withdrawing their application for a special exception to use the residence for a commercial purpose.
The proposal included an inn with nine bedrooms, one a children’s room with multiple bunk beds. The total guest capacity would be 22, though during public hearings Logounov said he anticipated it would rarely be at capacity. The property was also intended to only be used as an inn part time, with online bookings and no walk-ins accepted. The rest of the time family member would use the property.
The Appleton Manor, built in 1804, has an outdoor pool, pond, and multiple outbuildings including a barn and stables. It had once been used as an inn. The current owners have said during public hearings they hope to bring back its use as an inn in part to help support the significant upkeep cost of the historic property.
New Ipswich Zoning Clerk Evelyn Milford said the owners withdrew their application, and have indicated they are interested in refiling after speaking with some professionals and refining their plan for the property.
Milford said Shoykhet and Logounov did not indicate a timeline for when they might re-file.
During public hearings on the proposal, neighbors and Zoning Board members raised concerns about the plans, which they said seemed undefined. The application also does not align with the town zoning code’s definition for an inn, which calls for meals to be served not only to guests, but to the public. Appleton Manor was expected to serve breakfasts to guests, but the plan did not call for it being opened to the public.
Among the questions raised by neighbors and the board was the need for a more defined parking plan, guest limits and rules they would abide by, a sign plan, and septic plan.
During the most recent public hearing, the Zoning Board directed Shoykhet and Logounov to submit supporting documents, including a business plan, by the next public hearing, which is scheduled for Dec. 4.