This is the graveyard of great ideas, plans, hopes and dreams that were never done.

It's usually best to talk with your neighbors about your plans and get their support as one of the variance tests is that the requested relief does not cause a public health issue or alter the essential character of the neighborhood.Try googling "tests for a variance in [your state]" and talk with your local zoning department.

I have a similar project in Buffalo NY, however, I had to change plans when I got further into regulations.  

We are building a place with HELOCs then after it is built we will finance it and pay off our HELOC, at least thats our plan. 

What did they say is the plan?

Maintenance hasn’t been too bad so far, and I recently made the decision to sell my business, so now I’ll be living off my rental income.My question is: What should my plan be from here?

Listen to podcasts, read books, and if you plan to invest in the Netherlands find some resources that speak to that market specifically.

This can be good because your realtor will be using them as a resource to help you plan your 1031.

Now, are you planning to house-hack and live in one unit, or going full rental?

I'd like to accumulate enough properties to cash flow 6 figures, which would likely be a 20 year plan.