I am curious if other real estate investors/developers on here have developed a "system" of how best to efficiently utilizing the City/County's different departments (Planner, Economic Development, Permits, Building,etc).

Just a good tax planner. 

While the things I've mentioned all seem to point to the seller needing to make sure a sale doesn't screw them in the long run, I'd definitely speak to a financial planner or a friend in hospital/long term care billing to make sure you're knowledgable enough not to accidentally put someone is a bad spot.

Most cities have a planning desk at city hall where you can sit down with a city planner and they will answer all of your zoning and permitting questions. 

You will need to get a civil engineer, land planner and land use attorney involved.

If the site is zoned for storage - great, if not, then talk with the city planner to guage the receptivity of the municipalities board.Construction type and access. 

Negotiating the lien down in amount if possible will probably be key to us, but I'm a "worst case" kind of planner so the lien has really sent me down a rabbit hole trying to find information to aid in deciding which way to go

But I am stuck in setting up an LLC and a good cross-border tax planner (I've spoken with a few, but I think I can find something better) I have some more consult calls lined up as I keen networking, and I'm itching to get started.The main thing I need right now is a proper LLC structure.

But I am stuck in setting up an LLC and a good cross-border tax planner (I've spoken with a few, but I think I can find something better) I have some more consult calls lined up as I keen networking, and I'm itching to get started.The main thing I need right now is a proper LLC structure.

best thing to do is to go into the planning commission offices in the city/county  if they are allowing in person.. and simply ask a planner.. thats the best thing to do and its free.. then once you get some idea of feasibility U can move forward with civil and surveyor.