Developers air Kona Mansion proposal

By THOMAS P. CALDWELL, LACONIA DAILY SUN

MOULTONBOROUGH — A historic property on Lake Winnipesaukee is slated for a renewal, if developers get their plans through the approval process.

Shannon Alther and Terry Anderton, principals of 50 Jacobs Road, LLC, have brought a conceptual plan for the 82-acre Kona Mansion and an associated .69-acre lot to the Moultonborough Planning Board, hoping to make $4 million in improvements to revitalize the property, originally part Herbert Dumaresq's estate.

In the early 20th century, Dumaresq owned 2,500 acres, as well as the nearby islands, and named his estate Kona Farm. The name comes from a Lake Winnipesaukee legend, concerning Kona (the Eagle), a young Native American chieftain who crossed the lake to court Ellacoya, the daugher Ahanton,  a bitter enemy. Dumaresq's estate once featured a Tudor Revival-style main residence (the Kona Mansion), along with three boathouses, two barns, and associated outbuildings, designed by Boston architect Harry J. Carlson.

The current developers' plan, in addition to restoring the 37-room mansion, calls for subdividing the property into 22 lots and developing a country club form of ownership. Anderton said the goal is to save the Kona Mansion and create an environment that is special to the Lakes Region, with golf, tennis, a pool and spa, and dining with a bar.

As originally envisioned, there would be a club membership for each of the 22 lots, with additional memberships available to the public, which would grant use of the beach and golf course, and special privileges at the restaurant.

At a pre-application review on July 26, the Planning Board expressed concerns about the members’ use of a beach with less than 150 feet of frontage, citing the zoning ordinance’s prohibition on “funnel” development. As a result, the developers came back on Aug. 23 with a new conceptual plan that no longer grants beach rights to any lot or member.

Another sticking point is the number of boat slips at the pier, which Anderton said has historically been 22. Attorney Christopher Boldt, representing abutters, said files in the town office do not indicate more than six boat slips. The NH Department of Environmental Services is looking into the historic use of the boat slips at the dock, agreeing that the pier is “grandfathered” and would not have to conform to current regulations concerning how many slips the pier can accommodate, according to Anderton.

Boldt also questioned the inclusion of the boathouse and pier in the plans, saying that parcel was under separate ownership.

Members of the public who were attending the Aug. 23 meeting expressed concerns about a gas station at the end of the pier and the potential of commercial use of the pier, the impact of increased water usage on the water table, and the impact of fertilizers used on the golf course.

Anderton said all of the lots would be under one ownership; there would be no gas station or commercial use of the pier; a new well would handle the increased water usage; and they will use no chemicals on the golf course that would affect the water quality.

Chairman Scott Bartlett suggested that the developers work closely with Town Planner Bob Ward in preparing their formal application for the project.

The Kona Mansion is for sale for almost $7 million. This is a view of the property in 2012. (Courtesy AerialPhotoNH)