I would look at two factors, where are young people moving to the area to get work, and where could I get some land that's favorably close to that location that is permitted to do so.

I assume you have your stamp, as you stated you are a architect, if so do you have experience pulling permits?

For these we are estimating 8 months, but they can run longer or shorter depending on permits and inspections.

If you see a tenant storing vehicles, running a machine shop, using it as residential quarters use extreme caution as this is likely a non-permitted use despite what you may have been told or read otherwise.

You need to check with the city to ensure permits were pulled for any previous renovations.

The reason is Code Enforcement and what they will do to you if they drive by and see someone working without a permit.

Did I miss something that would permit unlicensed brokers from doing business in your state? 

Yes, you eventually need PPAs and interconnection agreements (IA), but distribution runs, permitting, last mile loads, zoning, substation capacities and required upgrades, … all these are just as important as your PPA and IA.

Only thing todo now is pull permits and get it back together.

He has also advised me to protect my investor that is already at the table (my mother) to form a promissory note system with her.I have contacted the county government about the permit process, and understand the basics of it.Thanks for reading my second post, I plan to keep this updated as like a running log I can refer back to and maybe get some guidance.