What this mod allows us to do is test changes that we have in mind and if needed, heavily modify or cut things out should it turn out to be a bad idea, busted, or in need of tuning. We do not need to keep all the files, but the mod would give of a list of ideal changes that could fit within a scope given by Relic and lays out the ground work of changes that would have some measure of testing by community members. That along with whatever we've taken from the GCS games would allow us to have something pre-prepared rather than scrambling and debating to figure out what changes should be placed.
I think ya'll need to be very clear with what is happening with this mod, Relic, and future patches.
Ya'll have enjoyed an incredible privilege with the state of this game. If ya'll are intending to use this as a platform for making a patch, that should probably be made clear.
I say this because that whole 'scrambling and debating to figure out what changes should be placed' is the component where the community is involved.
I have no problem with building interesting mods and testing what can be done with this game. But if you're using this so that you have a polished product to give Relic when and/or if they decide to let another patch happen, then it sounds like you won't have much need to interact with the community at that point. You'll already have something YOU are happy with, and I'm afraid that is all that will matter.