Greg,

Do not EVER remove the lands from the outer layer.  The pads are 
necessary during the plating process.  Removing pads will prevent 
plating solution from getting in the holes.  Even with a dot pattern 
to allow plating, the quality of the plating will be horrible and non-
reliable.  This is one of the main reasons for a minimum annular ring 
requirement.

With good process control of plating, normal stresses will not effect 
hole reliability

Regards,

Norm Einarson
Printed Circuit Technology