Prop 19 is relatively new and there is not a lot of resources and guidance about it yet, so you may be having difficulty understanding your options. 

If your land isn't zoned correctly, you will have difficulty building your planned multifamily - even if the next door property is going to be multifamily. 

There's a number of different ways to accomplish it depending on what is best for you.One thought on your perceived difficulties with the 180 day window.  

We have not yet had our first "planning session" bc our work schedule is difficult. I

I think something you will find in this area is that pricing can be found for very close to what you're looking for, but that sometimes comes with added difficulty on the closing end.

I just recently became an approved loan broker with Visio Lending and I am looking for feedback on the ease or difficulty of going through their loan process.

I too have faced difficulties in the past.

If you ever have any other difficulties, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. 

About 9 acres land is available .How difficult is it to get it rezoned to commercial to set up a gas station?

Another consideration is that if we have a major storm event, it is usually much harder to get a single family home back up & running than a condo unit due to differences in construction and difficulty in getting a contractor to focus on your home vs a larger condo association who can attract contractors that regularly provide services for the association or can attract contractors due to the scope of the project.