  We report multi-epoch VLBI H$_2$O maser observations towards the compact
cluster of YSOs close to the Herbig Be star LkH$\alpha$ 234. This cluster
includes LkH$\alpha$ 234 and at least nine more YSOs that are formed within
projected distances of $\sim$10 arcsec ($\sim$9,000 au). We detect H$_2$O maser
emission towards four of these YSOs. In particular, our VLBI observations
(including proper motion measurements) reveal a remarkable very compact
($\sim$0.2 arcsec = $\sim$180 au), bipolar H$_2$O maser outflow emerging from
the embedded YSO VLA 2. We estimate a kinematic age of $\sim$40 yr for this
bipolar outflow, with expanding velocities of $\sim$20 km s$^{-1}$ and momentum
rate $\dot M_w V_w$ $\simeq$ $10^{-4}-10^{-3}$ M$_{\odot}$ yr$^{-1}$ km
s$^{-1}$$\times (\Omega$/$4\pi)$, powered by a YSO of a few solar masses. We
propose that the outflow is produced by recurrent episodic jet ejections
associated with the formation of this YSO. Short-lived episodic ejection events
have previously been found towards high-mass YSOs. We show now that this
behaviour is also present in intermediate-mass YSOs. These short-lived episodic
ejections are probably related to episodic increases in the accretion rate, as
observed in low-mass YSOs. We predict the presence of an accretion disk
associated with VLA 2. If detected, this would represent one of the few known
examples of intermediate-mass stars with a disk-YSO-jet system at scales of a
few hundred au.
