The new owners of the Appleton Manor on Turnpike Road want to return the building to its roots as an inn.
Owners Masha Shoykhet and Gabriel Logounov attended a public hearing Thursday to request a special exception to allow the operation of an inn at their property on 599 Turnpike Road.
Logounov said that they purchased the house for its historic look, but that maintaining it will require significant expense. He said the proposal is to have the property in use by his family for part of the time, and part of the time as an inn with an on-site manager.
Logounov proposed using nine bedrooms for the inn, one a children’s room with multiple bunk beds. He said at maximum capacity, the inn could host up to 22 people, though he said that was likely to be rare.
“We’re thinking a small, homey place, not a hotel or high-traffic environment,” Logounov said.
The Appleton Manor, built in 1804, has an outdoor pool, pond, and multiple outbuildings including a barn and stables. Logounov said the property has previously been used as an inn and dance hall, and that it sits near several commercial properties along the town’s main thoroughfare. He added that income from the inn would allow for regular upkeep of what had been a vacant property.
The board discussed the need for a septic plan for a replacement septic in case the current septic fails, and directed Shoykhet and Logounov to provide that, along with a parking plan and business plan, for the next meeting.
The board also questioned whether the business would serve food, as under New Ipswich’s zoning ordinance, an inn is defined as serving food to both its guests and the public. Logounov said that they plan to start by serving breakfast to guests, but are not prepared to open a dining establishment.
Abutters at the meeting said they felt the details of the plan were vague, though several said they were not opposed to the idea of an inn in that location.
Tim Jones said that the fact that the house would not be used full-time as an inn gave him the impression of a short-term rental.
“I was envisioning an inn. This is not an inn,” Jones said.
Abutter and Zoning Board member David Lage, who recused himself from the discussion, said he also had concerns but was not against the concept. He said parking and septic capacity should account for guests, the innkeeper and staff, and requested details on the use of outbuildings, signage, screening, guest limits, hours of operation and whether weddings or events would be allowed.
“I applaud you for coming in, and seeking to preserve this property. Let’s just be sure it’s being done correctly,” Lage said.
The board requested that as part of their proposal, Shoykhet and Logounov submit a business plan that addressed questions raised by abutters as well as information on trash removal and snow storage.
The board scheduled a site walk on the property at 599 Turnpike Road for Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. The public hearing was also continued until Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. at the town offices.
Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.