A developer wanting to build a retail outlet on residentially zoned land should seek what?

In this scenario, the correct approach for a developer aiming to construct a retail outlet on land designated for residential use is to seek a zoning variance. A zoning variance is specifically designed to allow an exception to existing zoning laws in order to accommodate a use that differs from what is typically permitted in the zone.

When a property is zoned residential, any commercial or retail development would not comply with the established zoning regulations. By applying for a zoning variance, the developer would be requesting permission from the local zoning board to use the land in a way that diverges from its designated residential purpose. This process typically involves demonstrating that the proposed use meets certain criteria, such as not adversely impacting the surrounding area.

Building permits, site plan approvals, and use variances, while important in their own right, do not adequately address the need to change the fundamental zoning classification of the land. A building permit is necessary for construction once a project is approved but does not address zoning issues. Similarly, site plan approval provides authorization for the specific design of a project but assumes that the zoning is already appropriate. A use variance, on the other hand, is more relevant in cases where a property needs to be repurposed in a way that the current zoning regulations do not permit