Application of Ellis

SHARP, Justice.

Applicants, Mr. and Mr. John H. Ellis, Jr., own a tract of land containing 11.85 acres in Jefferson Township, Guilford County. The county’s comprehensive zoning ordinance (ordinance) locates this property in a R-20 zoning district, which is “primarily for single-family residences with provisions for two-family and multi-family residences on large lots.” Ordinance § 1-3. The declared purpose in R-20 districts is “to encourage the construction of and the continued use of land for residential purposes; to prohibit commercial and industrial uses of land and to prohibit any other…