The Jarvis Family Owned Its Land for More Than 150

question 24

Essay

The Jarvis family owned its land for more than 150 years. The Jarvis family traditionally farmed the land and for that purpose maintained farm animals. As years passed, most of the surrounding farms were sold by the owners and the area turned out to be a close-in suburb of a major city. A zoning ordinance was passed that prohibited maintaining a barn or farmyard animals on the land. The Jarvis family was advised that they were unaffected by this ordinance because theirs would be considered a nonconforming use. The members of the Jarvis family lost interest in farming and sold off all their animals. Seven (7) years later, a family member desired to raise a few pigs on the property. Angry neighbors asserted that the family has lost the right to do so. What is your opinion?

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Definitions:

Patriot Act

Legislation passed in the United States following the September 11 terrorist attacks, aimed at expanding law enforcement's abilities to surveil, investigate, and prevent terrorism.

New Immigrants

Refers to the wave of immigrants that came to the United States from the 1880s to the early 20th century, many from Southern and Eastern Europe.

Southern Europe

A region of Europe that includes countries such as Italy, Spain, Greece, and Portugal, known for its distinct culture and history.

Eastern Europe

A region that lies primarily to the east of Europe and consists of countries that vary widely in cultural, economic, and historical contexts.