Bob's link above works fine. Going thru this thread is akin to a quick geography lesson.
As to the fluoro lamp 'illuminating', it has happened to ME a few times (F120-CW-HO) on sign maint jobs, a little 'to close' to the primaries.
As to this 'owners' quandry, the scenario does not sound '100%'. Surveys, zoning, footing & foundation locations, inspections, title search, banks, etc. And no one had noticed?