Apparently the vacant lot next door used to be a Martinizing dry cleaners and the chemicals had penetrated the soil.

Yeah, its just an 11x18 inch car door magnet with a faint graphic of a house in the background with "WE BUY HOUSES" in big red lettering, any condition-any area right underneath in black and my phone number right beneath that.

I prefer the masonry-screws over standard drywall screws, as they bust through with the least amount of cracking and still grab the lath underneath pretty well.

u_page=2798&u_sid=10164244They were just starting to do soil replacement when I left in 2000.

To me it would seem easier and look better to tear it off and mud the drywall underneath.

You'll do yourself a disservice if you don't click on the link underneath his comment!

Would not work here I think, too much sandy soil and on a hill.  

On all the plans and approvals you need to check if still valid and for how long as I have heard some areas it can take up to a year to get approval again if they have expired in CA.You need to know soil samples and what construction method would be used for foundations etc.

It used to be completely hidden underneath an extensive poison ivy carpet and obviously hasn't been touched in years.  

the other information you may need is a soil test for that area.