Which situation would require a variance?

A variance is a specific type of zoning exception that allows a property owner to deviate from the existing zoning requirements. In this case, the situation involving a 9,000 square foot lot where zoning requires 10,000 square foot lots is a classic example of needing a variance because the property does not meet the minimum size requirement set by zoning regulations.

Zoning laws are established to maintain orderly development and to ensure that land uses are compatible with one another. When a property owner wants to utilize their property in a manner that does not conform to these regulations, they typically must apply for a variance. In this situation, the owner of the 9,000 square foot lot would seek a variance to allow them to use their property effectively, despite it falling short of the required size.

The other situations presented do not directly illustrate circumstances that explicitly require a variance in the same manner. A church in a residential zone may have different considerations based on community use allowances, whereas areas between zoning classifications could be viewed through the lens of future developments or transitional zoning policies, rather than needing a strict variance. Lastly, a business located in an area recently rezoned to residential may face different compliance or adaptation challenges instead of a request for a variance. Thus, the unique