I have skimmed the regs for several counties in which I've built or managed buildings. Different jurisdictions vary in their rigor, but very few developments escape P&Z entirely. We don't rely on the empathy of real estate developers to ensure that houses don't fall down. I propose that we not rely on it to ensure that pedestrians have a safe corridor for travel.
Besides that, have you ever read a zoning law? Be careful what you wish for; you just might get it, good and hard.