Excellent work. Does not help but I often took months to work out what would get nominated and what would not.
I changed my approach to ensuring the nomination standards were as best as I could make them
I know you are nailing some of your nominations but these articles if not already read - are really good references to go back to again and again
What you can and cannot nominated - Critera Clarifications. Of the 18 some may help you
How to write a better nomination.
And Wayfarers own criteria section. Just as a reminder but I find it useful to reread particular the rejection criteria 
I don’t know how you nominate. But I find the following (which I do) very helpful!!
When you think you have found a possible waypoint and you go to nominate it:
Write brief title, description, supporting (make sure this text is not rubbish but at least relevent). Select what it is (cafe etc) - with photo. /you can take the photos before han so they in your gallery. . In particular for main photo. This mean you can edit so they fit best. 4x4 (square is best) Centre what the POI is. you can upload from your gallery when creating the nom. in supporting photo try to capture the wider area the POI is in (ensuring the POI is in the photo)…
This is my kicker…DO NOT use the Upload now. Use the Upload Later. Get home. Log into WayFarer on your PC/Laptop. Go to the Contributions Section. Now on phone click upload now. Refresh the contributions every now and then and after a while your nomination will appear. When it does click on it and select the HOLD button. This means once in hold you can edit at will.. ((( note every now and then Niantic will grab your nomination before you edit but hey that happens - not often - I just roll my eyes - take it and nominate again 
)))
The great thing about the hold function. You get to rewrite the title, description and supporting information. Research it. Does it have government website. Its own website. Made the news. Got an award.. It is important to include weblinks etc to your nominations (if they exist).
And this reseach is mainly for the Supporting Information section. As this is very helpful. Ideally you should select one of the key eligibility criteria. Say It is a great place to explore. Because of X Y Z reason (with evidence) Or Great Place to Socialise. Because of (with evidene). and remember rememver evidence of support goes a long way. Please DO NOT say make a great pokestop. Or we need more stops. Or we socialise here or any wording like this… That is not evidence or supporting information.
If you are in any way concerned before you release hold you can put your nomination in the nomination support forum. Include all text, images and include the address. And just ask how can I improve my nomination. I have as many others used this forum to great impact. Steadily increasing the quality and subsequent success of my nominations.
And as you know - there are many people here who love looking at places and seeing what can be done to improve an area 
The best thing about your post @Darth84Revan is you shared your success. And I do not know about others. But that is way rewarding. I often want to know how people get on. So a big thank you for coming back and sharing!!!
And weirdest thing. All the learnings I have had – has meant I often successfully nominate not in my main area. For some odd reason I kinda enjoy putting good waypoints in other areas
Good luck… and thanks again for sharing your success