Arial targets give surveyors the ability to take high-res aerial images and scale them to a known coordinate system on the ground. Coordinates most likely resolved from GPS observations on the monument in the middle of the target. I have done this for the development of a golf course. I've also tied them for forest road project control and state highway control. With the popularity of GIS, you see all kinds of agencies like the DNR and WSDOT using aerial maps all the time. We shouldn't jump to conclusions. However, I believe a developer must post a notice on site and in the local paper if they plan to develop land. The notice should tell you what the planned development or proposed land use is, when and where the public meetings will be so you can discuss it. All of this has to go through the County planning and permitting departments. If you’re really curious, you could probably go to the County and start asking questions. If anything is being planned, they will know about it. The bottom line is that we should have enough notice before it is approved to fight the fight.