If so that would make me feel better about the idea.

Jimmy,The key thing to note here is that they have high limits on their Insurance for Liability.  

As far as whether to rent or buy, it depends on your personal situation, though as it's a new area it may be a good idea to rent for the first year while you decide where you'd eventually like to purchase.

Open to any other creative ideas to get us out of this mess.

Is this a good idea I should continue pursuing or are there better options? 

I have some ideas, but I'm curious to see if there is already a strategy for this problem.  

Reach out if you want to bounce ideas off of someone. 

We've batted around ideas by raising gradually - in two parts, 1 soon and 1 6-9 months later, and letting them know that and starting with increases soon on some people and in March on others.

I’m an architect so I have a good idea about design and managing construction.

A lot in town with a paved road that has water/power hook ups in the street may be $100k more then a lot out side of the city limits but that doesn't make it a good deal.