I am pretty sure you can get a zone change without a tentative map (which means no need for an engineer just talk to the city planning department for an application and go through the process) This is not too difficult of a process in itself, it is the planning commission and the city council approval that can cause problems.

A City Council and Mayor that allow mobs of activist mobs run wild while decry regular working people.

You could reach out to the Virginia District Council's YLG (Young Leaders Group) leaders to ask about how active they are in Hampton Roads. 

Have you called up a council person to find out what is being looked at county wide?

I would talk to people that have been in that area a long time and are community involved like the Chamber of Commerce, City building inspectors, real estate Agents,  BBB people, City Planning and Zoning people and City Council people or City-involved business people.

Does you city council/county offer a flat rate for multi-dwelling apartments?

Interesting read:"The Detroit City Council on Tuesday voted unanimously to update its rental regulations, including enacting rules that stop landlords from collecting rent if they haven’t passed city inspections"Check the story out:http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroi...

What I mean is getting approval for such a plan.Different people are in Government and offices at different times.One council might love the idea and the others not so much.If you get approval you have to strike while the iron is hot.

Ask the redevelopment council member if it would be ok to stop by from time to time.

--City Council approves plans aimed at halting South LA gentrificationhttps://www.scpr.org/news/2017/11/22/78027/new-dev...