The word gerbil is a diminutive form of  jerboa , though the jerboas are an unrelated group of rodents occupying a similar ecological niche.
A variance is a form of equitable relief that allows a property owner to bypass local zoning laws so they can use their land in the most efficient manner possible. When unusual circumstances make it difficult for a property owner to comply with local zoning laws, cities and counties may grant what are known as variances to allow property owners to circumvent the traditional zoning laws in an area.
Updated June 29, 2017. Definition: Commercial real estate is any property owned to produce income. There is about $6 trillion worth of commercial real estate in the United States. Here are the five largest categories of commercial real estate. Retail includes indoor shopping malls, outdoor strip malls, and big box retailers.