leave it entirely open and put two storage lockers (more expensive)I looked into creating a garden apartment but it would require rezoning and ordinances issues that may not make it worth it currently.Anyone have any ideas on how to utilize this wasted space?

Trim bushes, mulch garden beds etc.

Investment Info:
Small multi-family (2-4 units) buy & hold investment.

Purchase price: $337,000

Cash invested: $50,000

My wife and I are house hacking a 3-unit property with a long term tenant ...

https://www.courier-journal.co...

Investment Info:Single-family residence fix & flip investment in Garden Grove.

This means that in almost any residential lot you can have the main dwelling as well as a basement suite, garden suite, or a garage suite for a total one main residents and two secondary suites. 

Apart from the W/D, what other work are you thinking to have done to the garden unit?

Places like Moody Gardens, Schlitterbaun, other attractions,, and all the restaurants have workers that are typically in the rental pool.

I know people who have been operating non-conforming garden units in Chicago since the 1980's with no issue, so i'd say you are not likely to run into any trouble with yours. 

Or is it just like your regular garden variety rental?