Final answer:
Blake likely has a variance allowing him to diverge from zoning regulations on his property to avoid undue hardship, providing an exception to normal land use controls. Variances are granted by quasi-judicial boards and are subject to strict regulation and cannot harm public welfare or defeat zoning intentions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Blake is able to use his property in a manner that is normally prohibited under current zoning ordinances because he has likely been granted a variance. A variance is a legal permission from a municipal authority, such as a board of zoning appeals or sometimes the city council, that allows for an exemption from certain zoning regulations. It is typically granted when compliance with the zoning regulation would cause undue hardship due to circumstances unique to the individual property which are not generally applicable to other properties in the area.
Zoning regulations are in place to promote the orderly development of communities and ensure that land use is compatible with community goals. However, they are not inflexible, acknowledging that in certain situations, applying the strict letter of the law would cause unreasonable hardship.
The boards that grant variances are quasi-judicial entities that review cases and determine whether a property owner's circumstances meet the criteria for an exemption. These boards weigh factors like the character of the neighborhood, the size and physical characteristics of the land, and potential impacts on property values.
It is important to remember that the process to receive a variance is typically highly regulated and subject to several conditions. Moreover, variances cannot be granted if they would cause harm to public welfare or negate the intent of the zoning ordinance. If a property owner deems zoning ordinances unreasonable and their variance request is denied, they may seek legal assistance to challenge these ordinances as being contrary to principles of land use law or the constitutional prohibition against taking private property for public use without just compensation.