I've burned the ships and am not changing my mind, I'm committed, I'm going to be involved with real estate in some form or another, so what do you recommend I could be doing RIGHT NOW? 

Sorry, fat fingers!

I'll be calling the city's planning department today to make sure that I will be able to get a variance to rebuild on the lot if the property burns down (I believe that building on a half lot is a nonconforming).Thanks, David.

This is now going to burn another investor's time and money.

Ideally this person would also be able to assist in managing the project itself" Sounds to me that what you are looking for is an active partner "contractor" that will do all the thinking and work wile you collect the big fat checks at the Caribbean sipping on fruity drinks.  

My sister has a 100x84 ft. lot (Home burned to the ground).

They had smoke stains on the walls, burned old blue carpets, pink bathtubs and garbage everywhere but they just trusted that I’d make the old units look like the one I had just finished.

But I strongly advise you start slowly and move one step at a time, it will show others you are serious and also help keep you from getting burned by ensuring you properly analyze deals.

I have seen some go to tax deed auction that have been burned, but if you just Google Maps drive it, it looks good. 

That way if I am driving there repeatedly, forgot something at home, etc I am not burning myself out on commutes.