Maria owns a commercial building in a neighborhood that has been zoned for retail use for the past 25 years. Recently, the city council approved a new zoning ordinance reclassifying the area as residential, effective in one year. Maria currently leases the building to several long-term retail businesses. Which legal principle best safeguards Maria's existing property rights under the new zoning ordinance?
Apply for a variance based on the property's historical significance.
Assert a nonconforming use defense allowing existing commercial tenants to continue operating.
Invoke the Takings Clause to seek compensation for the zoning change.
Request an injunction to reverse the zoning ordinance.
The correct answer is the nonconforming use defense. This doctrine allows existing commercial operations to continue despite the change in zoning, protecting Maria's current leases. The other options either do not directly address pre-existing uses under zoning changes or involve unrelated legal principles.
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