I think I'd get a better map ans put my mayor's house in a better place. I'd also come up with a better town name, and get my dreamies before I start working on anything else.
I wouldnt time travel for definite, I'd make sure the recycling shop wasnt in a dodgy area or the plaza, cause mine is in the top right corner and I like it in the middle, I'd have more ponds, I only have 2 and I'd put my house in a much nicer spot, mine is a bit too close to the town hall, id also get a better villager start lol, cause my highest was a tier 3 however it was a dreamy but still, I hated everyone else, and finally id probably start making hybrids earlier because I dont have that many...
Knowing what I know now, maybe put the coffee shop in another place (a lot of my beachfront property is used up) and make sure I said yes to all animals that wanted to leave.
I would do the same exact thing I'm doing/did for Hell. Got my golden weed badge, waited for horrible tier 5 villagers to leave my town, get my dream villagers (not done), and get a perfect town (VERY close). I tt for trees to grow, grass growing over dirt marks, pwps, and most importantly, my house.
Knowing what I know now, maybe put the coffee shop in another place (a lot of my beachfront property is used up) and make sure I said yes to all animals that wanted to leave.