The only part of planning that I would do online is maybe a preliminary to sell the vision but I would never try to go that route for full approval unless you are in some backward city with no idea what they are doing.There are so many restrictions including needing stamps by a certified architect that I just think it will be way more painful than it is worth trying to save a little money.These are not perfect but they are useful:https://www.boxbrownie.com/development-site-plans

A lot of what I see (and work with clients on) is gaining a stronger vision and purpose.  

It would have been very helpful in my decision making if I had a better feel for local politics and the vision/plans for the town’s future.

Sometimes they are necessary/unavoidable but in my experience most of the time they're just a result of the customer being indecisive or getting carried away with the excitement of seeing their vision come to life.

This is the short list I've crafted using a few different sources to achieve the NEXT LEVEL: - Vision & Traction Organizer- 1YR Letter From Your Future Self- 13-Week Scoreboard - Weekly Whiteboard- AccountabilityThere are many processes out there for creating your Vision and dialing that into some Goals that are aligned with your Vision.

I think it's very necessary to have a shared vision with everyone on your team (CPA, attorney, banker, etc) including your realtor.  

I have been given the vision of providing housing for the needy.

If so, I compare what I want to do with the property to the vision and views of the long range plan.If my development concept does not conform to the permitting authorities plans, I generally see my intended development as being a hard sell and elect to find a site that works with the general area development plans.Determining the Highest & Best Use once and if you have reason to believe the site can be used for your general purposes is another story. 

I love the visions and thoughts that generate from new technology.I think like most changes throughout history it comes off as intimidating and feels like it is going to put people out of certain jobs...which it will, but that just means new and different jobs will be created.  

But borrowers die, they become incapacitated and others may end up standing in their place to wind up business, so from the lending side, it would not be wise, IMO, to simply have a usurus note.State law should be investigated with peripheral laws as well, references to usury within any state may include tax law, commerce and other secured lending requirements where they may become applicable.