After almost a month of going back and forth with the support team, we were able to figure out the problem. It turns out that my entire VST3 directory, had become corrupt.
After multiple clean installs, re-downloading the installer, re-scanning my plugins, and deleting the caches and preferences at least a dozen times, even the support team was scratching their heads. After moving my VST3 directory (with ALL plugin files, not just Z3ta+ 2), copying the Z3ta+ 2 VST3 file from my laptop (which was functioning properly) on to my desktop machine, and recreating the VST3 directory, the plugin validated and now functions properly.
I would have never noticed that this directory had become corrupt, because the host software(s) I use only use AU format plugins. Z3ta+ is the only plugin that uses a VST wrapper, instead of installing a separate instance of the application in AU format. All of my other plugins were functional (450+ of them).
My apologies to Cakewalk for any outbursts on these forums. I was beside myself with frustration, and unaware of the DAW launch in progress.