Kingston Zoning Board denies Indian Pond Country Club's maintenance building permit

Zoning officials cite poor upkeep, parking issues in unanimous decision

KINGSTON, MA - July 17 - The Kingston Zoning Board of Appeals on Wednesday night unanimously denied Indian Pond Country Club's application for a special permit to construct a new maintenance facility, citing concerns about the club's current practices and ongoing disputes in the area.

The decision came after heated discussions about parking issues, incomplete plans, and the club's track record as a neighbor.

"It's detrimental to the neighborhood, the whole neighborhood. You can see it. This is every day," said board member Kevin Wrightington before voting to deny the permit. "And the place is a disaster, okay?"

Attorney John Fleming, representing Indian Pond Country Club, argued the new facility was necessary because the club's lease on its current maintenance building expires in November 2025. He said the existing location 1,200 feet from the road would be impractical for fire access and electrical needs.

"How is the fire department ever going to be able to deal with this location for a maintenance building?" Fleming asked.

However, residents painted a picture of poor maintenance and parking issues at the current facility. George Egan, of 131 Country Club Way, presented a photo showing 15-16 vehicles parked on grass and sidewalks near the existing maintenance building on a typical weekday.

"This is an indication to me of what the new maintenance building would look like as well," Egan said.

Pat Brennan of PGB Engineering, hired to review the site plan, listed several issues with the submitted materials. He noted missing information on utilities, parking analysis, landscaping, lighting and more.

"A parking analysis for all uses and a detailed parking plan should be submitted, including a swept path analysis from the fire department's largest apparatus," Brennan said.

The situation was further complicated by disputes over who is responsible for maintaining the current facility. Fred Tonsberg, owner of the building Indian Pond currently leases, claimed the country club hasn't been paying rent.

"He wasn't paying his rent. Nobody's asked that question," Tonsberg said. "He's paid nothing for 15 years. Look what he's done to the building. It's a mess."

Board member Marsha Meekins questioned why Indian Pond didn't originally locate its maintenance facility on its own 140-acre parcel when first applying for permits in 2001. Fleming said he wasn't involved at the time and couldn't answer.

The permit denial comes amid ongoing legal battles over road completion in the Indian Pond development. Fleming said High Pines Corporation, which is involved in that dispute, lacks funds to complete the required road work.

"We own lots, for example, but they're under covenant with the planning board. The planning board won't release them so that we can sell them to generate funds that we could use to work on the roads," Fleming said.

Board members ultimately felt the maintenance facility plans were premature given the other unresolved issues in the area.

"If they want to do something, do it in two years from now and come back to us again, and maybe things will get straightened out," said board member Bob Mullen.