For me personally, I would leave it a loft so the renter could have a playroom for kids, office space, family room, etc.

I am a loan officer so I could be able to help you navigate this.

The police & animal control are very little help because of a lack of resources... always good to see my tax dollars at work!

Their office staff ordering the microwave and coordinating delivery and install would qualify as "labor," so I don't think there's much there. 

In Franklinton there are plenty of large projects going on that will bring massive growth to the west side of Columbus, such as the Peninsula Development, which is a multiphase project that will erect a 24 story apartment complex featuring a grocery store, a multi use office space building, and a new hotel featuring a two-story venue.

Chat with a trusted loan officer to figure what the numbers would look like.

Personally, I wouldn't spend money on an attorney because 1) I think the covenants/restrictions can sensibly be used against STRs and 2) because the HOA potentially has deep pockets if the officers decide to fight because they can pass the cost of the fight to the home owners.I would reach out to the officers to get their sentiments and to plead my case, and I would start building my case with the other homeowners. 

My small 4 unit office building has been much harder to rent out than my residential units.

I actually have two options for this property: 1) Rent out the existing 25 storage units AND rent out the building plus add the 25 additional units out of pocket.OR 2) Rent out the existing 25 storage units and added the 25 additional units out of pocket to rent them out BUT keep the metal building for my GC business to where we have offices and storage for building materials.

Division enforces the law, they aren't the P.C. police.