A tire company has a manufacturing plant located in an area that has just been re-zoned for residential usage. If the plant is destroyed by fire, the tire company?

The correct choice indicates that if the tire company wishes to reconstruct its plant after a fire in an area that has been re-zoned for residential use, it must first apply for a zoning variance. A zoning variance is an exception to the existing zoning regulations that allows a property owner to use their land in a way that is typically not allowed.

In this scenario, the re-zoning from industrial to residential signifies that the land is no longer designated for manufacturing purposes. Therefore, the company's ability to rebuild and operate a manufacturing plant in the area directly conflicts with the new zoning laws. A zoning variance would provide the company with the legal ability to operate outside the restrictions imposed by the residential designation, but obtaining that variance is a necessary first step.

The other alternatives suggest that reconstructing the plant is either completely barred or conditional upon agreements with residents or associations, none of which reflects the standard procedure for addressing zoning issues. Thus, the requirement to apply for a variance is the correct path for the tire company to potentially rebuild its facility.