Just be mindful that you can't 1031 a personal residence but it might be eligible for capital gain exclusion from section 121.

We are being conscious of property tax on a vacant piece of land (our potential liability) as well as the potential capital gains taxes (their potential liability). 

Your net gain is your net sale, minus your adjust cost basis.

I'll work with an attorney to assist with drafting that.Q2: Yes, I'll talk to my CPA but we'll most likely hold the property for at least 1 year under the LLC given our timeline to design, permit, build and sell the property, meaning I should avoid short-term capital gains.  

It is my understanding that the new owner will have the house at the cost basis of my purchase price, for calculating capital gains taxes or depreciation.For gift tax purposes for you - FMV.For capital gain tax purposes for the recipient - your original basis/purchase price 

Reno Scenerio Off Market Purchase Price - $185k ARV = $315-335kReno - $55-65kHolding - $10kClosing both ends - $25k= $335 , $315-$285 =$30-50k gain  As-IS Scenario Purchase - $185kSale Price on MLS :$225- $235kClosing both ends - $20kHolding - $4k= $235 - $209 =$16-$26k gainIn both scenerios I’ll be 1031ing it into a new investment.

Is there any creative way to avoid/reduce capital gains tax on the sale ?

So there might not be enough gain to need a 1031 exchange.If there is enough gain to justify the 1031 exchange then simply treat your replacement property as you would any other investment like @Daniel Osman said. 

However, if your business owns real estate, that portion of the sale may qualify for a 1031 exchange, allowing you to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting in another like-kind property.

However, the depreciation claimed while the property was a rental must be accounted for upon the future sale of the personal residence, which could increase your capital gains tax liability.The adjusted basis of the property (original cost minus depreciation) will be used to calculate gains or losses at the time of sale.