Trouble with zoning to get a triplex in my area

[Bryce Robison]

I am a realtor but also looking to buy my first personal residence house hack. I am under contract on a property with 3.5% FHA loan that is a triplex. The only thing is this property is very unique because there are 2 buildings, one 1 bed 1 bath 575 sqft and the other is a two story upstairs/downstairs multi-family rental. I will be living in the downstairs portion of the two story. The issue that I'm having is the lender will not finance the property because the zoning laws in the town will not allow the property to be "rebuilt" if there was a total loss on the small house. I already have a letter from the city stating that if there was a total loss, the structure could be rebuilt but both building would have to be combined into only 1 structure. Please advise with some potential new ideas to help me get this house. I greatly appreciate any help, thank you!