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29 Colum. J. Envtl. L. 279 (2004)
The Zoning Variance: Reappraisal and Recommendations for Reform of a Much-Maligned Tool

handle is hein.journals/cjel29 and id is 285 raw text is: The Zoning Variance: Reappraisal and Recommendations for Reform of a Much- Maligned Tool David W. Owens* I. Introduction ................ .................... 280 II. Law of the Zoning Variance ...................................................... 281 A . O rigins ................................................................................ 282 B. Statutory Authority for Variances ....................................... 284 C. Judicial Interpretation of the Standards for Variances ........ 287 1. Impact of Regulation on Petitioner ............................... 288 2. Impact of the Variance on Community Interests .......... 292 III. Realities of Variance Administration ......................................... 295 A. Critiques of Variance Administration ................................. 295 B. Proposals for Variance Reform ........................................... 299 IV. A Review of Contemporary Experience .................................... 301 A. Organization and Administration ........................................ 304 B. The Decision-making Process ............................................ 305 C . The D ecisions M ade ........................................................... 308 D. Factors Influencing Variance Decisions ............................. 310 1. M erits of the Petition .................................................... 311 2. Identity and Circumstances of the Petitioner ................ 312 3. Staff Recommendations ................................................ 313 4. Appearance of Neighbors and Attorneys ...................... 314 E. Impacts of Variance Decisions ........................................... 315 F. Judicial A ppeals .................................................................. 316 V. The Future of the Zoning Variance ............................................ 316 A pp endix ............................................................................................... 322 * Professor of Public Law and Government, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Adam Bruggemann, a student in the U.N.C. M.P.A. program served as research assistant for the survey reported in this article and his assistance with data entry and analysis was invaluable. The author would like to thank Frayda Bluestein, Richard Ducker, and Dwight Merriam for comments on earlier drafts of this article and Maureen Berner for assistance with survey design.

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