&quot;Frankly, we can play the &quot;No, you&#x27;re using the power of the state&quot;<p>I don&#x27;t wish to defend zoning laws, nor humour a &quot;tu quoque&quot; contest.  Not necessary for my point.<p>&quot;My previous landlords did nothing to improve the value of their property.&quot;<p>That&#x27;s also beside the point.  They made an investment in buying and improving the land.  They are not permitted to realize the market value that their investment (foresight &#x2F; risk-taking) had earned.