Ah, Zoning

I have been trying to negotiate with everyone about the parking lot next door to my house. I went to the North University neighborhood meeting on Monday, where we discovered that if we allow a zoning change which would legally permit parking there, it would also open the door to a 60 foot high office building. So we decided to try to get it landscaped and a wall put up which would reduce the noise level, without involving the owner at all. (Trudy's isn't the owner; their patrons have just habitually parked there for years.) I'm trying to figure out how much more financial, landscaping and or food & drink-type consideration I can/should ask for. This is all very exciting, I know.