What does "eminent domain" allow the government to do?

Eminent domain is a legal principle that grants the government the authority to take private property for public use, but it mandates that fair compensation be provided to the property owner. This process is intended to serve the greater good, such as building roads, schools, or other public infrastructure that benefits the community at large. The requirement for compensation ensures that property owners are not unjustly deprived of their property and receive an equitable monetary value for what they lose, thus balancing the need for public development with the rights of individuals.

The other options do not accurately describe the purpose or implications of eminent domain. Taking private property without any compensation contradicts the principle of just compensation that is central to eminent domain. Approving zoning changes is a separate regulatory function and not directly related to the government's power to take property. Lastly, while eminent domain can sometimes lead to property being developed by private entities for public use, the initial act of taking the property itself is a government action and not a direct transfer of property rights to private developers.