But Mr. Daley said that property owners could seek variances, and if denied would have recourse in the courts.

Parents seeking variances may want to get in touch with the schools of their choice.

"Some builders seek variances based on a financial hardship created by a practical difficulty that makes it unprofitable for them to develop their land," he said.

She said her work was disproportionately focused on beach properties because so many residents there seek variances from zoning rules.

But they are always seeking variances from local zoning boards and exceptions to state regulations, and that takes time.

For this reason, and because the buildings would have been substantially higher than neighboring ones, the developers sought zoning variances from the city's Board of Standards and Appeals.

Residential builders frequently must seek variances from the Board of Standards and Appeals in order to build.

Mr. Schrager said he expected to develop it without seeking any special zoning permits or variances.

Many executives are reluctant to alienate officials from whom they may be seeking contracts, zoning variances or franchises.

The developer is seeking variances from the Board of Adjustment to build town houses on property zoned for single-family homes, and to encroach on an artificial slope.