L. Grossman & Sons, Inc. v. Town of Gilford

The question in this case is whether plaintiff has such a vested right in the maintenance of sign as a preexisting nonconforming use as to prevent the town, under its zoning ordinance, from requiring plaintiff to remove it without compensation and substitute a much smaller sign. We hold that plaintiff has such a right.

Plaintiff appealed to the superior court from the zoning board of adjustment’s denial of a variance and requested the court to rule that plaintiff has a vested right to maintain a sign at its present size and location. There was a hearing before a Master, Leonard C. Hardwick,…