I called up the person at the zoning office, told her why I was calling, it was going to be half empty for 5 months due to the upgrades I was doing, and she said great, I'm glad your improving the property, extenstion granted.  

The constant issue I have is unlocking & accessing this equity, preferably through an equity line of credit.

Overall the house has great bones but it will take a few grand to complete the punch list of items needed to remedy: radon mitigation, surface mold in attic, slight leaks at a few easily accessible spots in the roof, electrical service work.

He charges about 20-25$ an hour so being an hour away it often is not worth my time or trouble to even go there and swing a hammer when he’s so cheap and does quality work without over improving the place .

However, you can borrow from the solo 401k through a participant loan and can use those funds however you wish including for improving a property that you may already own. 

I feel i could greatly improve my cash flow just repurchasing new rentals local with the equity, even thinking of trying a multifamily like a 4plex.What do you all think?

Like you mentioned, @Jay Lohn, it seems like a reasonable investment in tenant retention.Since we're currently owner occupying one of the units, there are some pretty attractive improvement loans that we could take advantage, so may now be the time to do it.

Generally, shipping containers are used as a way to expand an existing self storage facility with minimal capital outlay (the containers can be leased) and as a way to increase revenue without improving the property that would generate an increase in property taxes. 

The exception to this case would be some of the production builder floor plans that include an efficiency with "private" back door access on the bottom floor or a garage apartment as part of the new construction.I found some older duplexes farther towards West U area but the cost was way high in relation to the disrepair of the property due to land value.

This is the webpage I use to get my free probate lead list: https://adtech.dailyjournal.com/legalAds/Unfortunately this page is accessible for certain counties in CA.