SFH in Baltimore, MD set up for 2 units, zoning issue 21214

[Natalie Nelson]

Hello everyone, I put an offer in on a short-sale property in the Hamilton area that used to be rented out as 2 units however it does not have an active multi-family registration. I know it is located in a district that requires a conditional use ordinance (Zone R-3)  per the new zoning code so I would have to go through the headache of applying with the zoning board. I don't think it would be too much of a hassle to proceed with a loan as a 1 unit and tear out the kitchen appliances in the 2nd unit upstairs (they are gross anyway!) but If I were to rehab the 2nd unit after the fact I would want to do so legally if possible. Keeping it one unit is not the end of the world, I will still get good cash flow but would prefer to have 2. 

 I see that there are quite a few properties already on the street that are legally zoned for multi. Do you think that would impede me from getting a multi-unit registration? 

 Should I talk to the neighbors? Any tricks in this area?  It seems to be a problem for a lot of investors from what I have been reading. 

I have already ready these posts and the related resources:

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/432/topics/34...

https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/52/topics/322...

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!