Standard practice or by the book? That has been the debate in Lyndon’s Planning and Zoning world of late

LYNDON — Standard practice or by the book? That has been the debate in Lyndon’s Planning and Zoning world of late. Zoning Administrator Jon Prue and Planning Director Nicole Gratton have disagreed if Gratton requires Development Review Board approval to replace a recently removed front porch at 1393 Back Center Rd. DRB determined she did, because Section 5.2 of the by-laws states that a discontinued non-conforming use — like the removed porch — may be re-established as long as (1) It has not been discontinued for more than a year and (2) DRB determines it will not have adverse impacts. On Wednesday, however, the Planning Commission supported Gratton’s claim that the project did not require DRB approval because, even though the building is non-conforming, the new porch would have a smaller footprint and not represent a substantial change.