Thought some of you more seasoned investors / experts could give me more insight on how to structure this and/or other possible exit strategies in this situation in order to reduce my capital gains tax?

This might reduce that workload.

If you do a cash out refi then your own mortgage monthly payment will increase  and could increase substantially for the length of the loan (typically 30 years) and the only way to reduce the monthly payment is to refi again after debt pay down or refi with a large down payment.  

- Will public roads/streets come into play?

Having the septic is no different than having your house hooked up to public sewer, do you think you'd charge separate for that?

If I wanted something completely passive I'd probably skip syndication and move right into a publicly-traded REIT. 

As you mentionned, you cannot depreciate land in Canada, I'm guessing you guys use depreciation expenses in your income statements therefore ''reducing'' net profits?

Your name is not on any public record, contract, title, etc.

I have friends who are have been commercial bankers  at FDIC chartered banks public and private for decades who are leaving because they cannot push loans through. 

Your best bet would be to call small local banks near the property and see if they will look at a reduced doc. loan where they don't focus on your W2 or credit depth.