[capitainenemo]

In our town, a local abandoned mall was torn down and renovated into a strip mall situation. As part of the deal negotiated with the city, the parking lot in back was to be used for apartments. Probably to help with revenue and to support the shops. This probably was an exception to zoning. No other apartments exist anywhere near there.

The residents were so upset they initiated a recall of council members and revoked the apartment portion of the deal (after the company had already built the mall).