For perspective, zoning is to be applied and enforced completely independent of who owns the land or who is proposing the project.
For additional perspective, how many of those supporting this project because it’s potentially “better than”” would still support it if Raj was proposing it rather than Ian?
And how many of those who would be happy to have this approved because Ian was proposing it only to find out the sale didn’t close and Raj was then entitled to do this would still be happy?
Zoning entitlements and approvals run with the land, not with the ownership…