The main problem for the gov't is that legal access, dedicated roads, need to be provided to all lots, parcels, subdivisions. This is a hugh problem in the West, and in particular in Alaska. The platting authority ensures that roads are dedicated. Easements do not suffice since they involve dual ownership--public and private combined. Since the theory of the modern state has not been fully developed, most public officials do not understand this necessity, and private persons often enough get by until a fateful day when they find they have no legal access.
Land use zoning is a farce the way it is implemented, and probably should be up to the land owners since gov't cannot enforce it uniformly but only in a few specific cases where gov't can acquire ownership themselves.