Just because one lot in an area gets approved, does not mean a nearby property meets the same requirements: One property vs. another in the same area may be closer to wetland buffers, river corridors; it might be at a different elevation and lay partially within a floodplain or near a protected watershed or animal habitat... I have even seen development stopped because the new development would block the view of the landscape beyond from existing homes. I have even seen lawsuits where the purchaser of land from a farm sued the farmer afterwards because of the smell of the manure was too unpleasant for them. (As if they didn't know that would be a consideration before they built there!)