By Deb Murphy
“We did extensive market research,” explained Bob Kingston the developer of a proposed 15-home subdivision off Home Street in Bishop, currently the site of Bishop Nursery. “The subdivision fills a definite need,” he said in a phone interview Tuesday.
The City’s recent Economic Development Element to its General Plan identified the lack of housing as a challenge. “That’s why we decided to move ahead,” Kingston said. According to Kingston, another lack in Bishop is consistent neighborhoods, a gap he feels the subdivision will fill. “It’s going to be a well-done, landscaped and consistent neighborhood….” targeting young families or down-sizing retirees.
The only current specifics on the housing applies to the six lots that back up to Rome Drive. At the July 13 City Council meeting, the majority of the opponents to the subdivision lived on Rome Drive, citing too many houses for the 2.75 acre parcel, habitat issues, Home Street traffic, noise and loss of quality of life for existing neighborhoods. According to Kingston, the lot widths in his development are similar to the six lots they back up to on Rome. The homes planned for those lots will be one-story single-family residents, approximately 1,800 sq. ft. “Those homes will be one-story out of respect to the existing residents on Rome,” Kingston said, noting that the Rome Drive residents are set at a higher elevation than his subdivision.
In terms of pricing, Kingston said the homes will be at “market value.” An unscientific search of homes for sale within the city limits turned up two, both smaller footprints, priced between $240,000 and $390,000. Some of the project opponents feared the development would be “low-income homes,” but that need has yet to be filled in Owens Valley.
A second public hearing will be held at the City Council’s Aug. 10 meeting with Aug. 15 the deadline for written comments. Kingston will be at that meeting.
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I guess I don’t understand people….we live in an area bereft of new development, which is the lifeblood of most communities.
We live in an area with NO JOBS for our children. Adults here work minimum wage jobs, yet rent for a small 1 BR apartment equals 60% of a months salary for a minimum wage worker. A livable ratio is considered 35% (it used to be 25%).
People should be welcoming new development.
And how in the world can market rate housing be considered ‘subsidized’?
I think we need a bigger JC here so people can become somewhat educated.
Development by itself is not going to create a viable economy. Development should be functional. Development should supply resources needed to do things that support the local economy. Like a business campus where small businesses can start easily and grow.
But that presupposes people with purposeful ideas about products and services to create and develop. And I’m not suggesting another sandwich place or condominium hotel. I’m talking about real ideas about unique products and services. For example, but not exclusively, a trade school where practical skills are taught.
Schools are one excellent example of a business that can generate support for a viable economy. They aren’t the only idea that can help generate a viable economy.
How about a cobbler shop that trains people to fix shoes? Or a computer programming school? Or a school that teaches geothermal energy development and / or other various kinds of renewable energy development? There are a lot of good ideas and bright people. They need a foundation and help to get established.
It will be easy for the nay sayers to tear apart what I just saidt. I’m not trying to offer an outline of a viable economy. Use your own imagination to find a new way of doing things.
This is a great article about reforming education. The precepts outlined are those things that helped me start and continue my education. I don’t know where I would be now if I hadn’t had help from cheap government loans for school. I don’t agree with many of the points of this article but it is a good place to start thinking about the problem of unskilled, uneducated people.
http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2015/8/there-is-no-such-thing-as-free-community-college.html
For many politicians and economists, the way to raise America’s standing in the global economy is to invest in workers’ skills. One way to do that is to make America’s community colleges “free” on condition that they adopt certain business-friendly reforms.
In January, for example, the White House announced that “Americans need more knowledge and skills to meet the demands of a growing global economy” and that the solution is “tuition-free community college for responsible students.” Along the same lines, Congressional Democrats recently introduced the America’s College Promise Act of 2015: The federal government would pay for approximately 75 percent of community colleges expenses, or about $90 billion over 10 years, while states would finance the rest.
Is something I said wrong? Did I lie about anything in my previous post? Low inyo, trying to be the funny guy, instead of arguing my previous comment. I stated fact, and everyone knows it . ‘Plunder and Decipt’ by Mark Levin is something you should read.
Government is out of control, and deep down we all know it. Yes, I have a problem with ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, and proud to say it!!!? everyone in the USA should be unhappy 20 trillion in debt, 100 trillion in unfunded liabilities
(Govt. Pensions). So yeah , I’m angry??
I’ve tried to argue you several times, pointing out where you are factually incorrect, and you haven’t provided me a reasonable argument yet. Just more rhetoric about subsidized housing.
Now in this instance, you’re totally right. The largest employer in the area by far is government.
But, I ask you this, should government employees not be allowed to have houses because their paychecks are funded through taxes? What about the Police? What about Veterans?
How would all the businesses in this area survive if the majority of people weren’t employed by the government? Not in some hypothetical. Right now, because right now is the time frame our City is making decisions in.
I’m sorry you don’t like it, but please, for your “Blue Moon” resolution, entertain me, and recommend a better idea (and without mentioning illegal immigrants, if at all possible).
Also – way to learn about emoticons. We’re all super impressed, and they really drive home the validity of your argument.
TOURIST TRAP High Water!
High Water…Again,gotta say if your so angry and unhappy in Bishop and the Owens Valley,why do you live and stay here ?….move…..maybe to Beverly Hills….no “subsidized housing” there….and my bet is very few “illegal aliens ” to complain about either.
Low-Inyo: Good question! If you don’t like the place where you live; do you stay and try to make it better or do you run away to another area to take advantage of the work others have done to make their area better?
This is the same question asked and answered by every immigrant everywhere. Take a look at the results of running away to a better area. Not always better for the places that gain a large number of immigrants and not always better for the places they left.
BTW: you offer and odd dichotomy; Bishop or Beverly Hills? Not a comparison I would have made.
Interesting that you think there are no illegal immigrants in Beverly Hills….who do you think is working in all those high end establishments??
Of course this is subsidized housing! The only people who can afford this are govt. Employees. Lol!! ? Von’s has there prices set in bishop as a tourist town. This isnt a tourist town. This area is only alive because its number one employer is govt.
County of inyo
Cal trans
DWP
City of bishop
County of mono
Town of mammoth
CHP
Fish and game\ Forrest service
??
I work for the county and after all of the pay cuts, no cola’s or God forbid a raise for over 5 years. I couldn’t afford this. Can’t afford to buy groceries here either. Everyone I know goes in to Nevada for food, gas and medical care. Just wanted to point out that your opinion of Government workers is WRONG WRONG WRONG. Those of us on the ground doing the work have been hit VERY hard over the last few years. I have to tell you serving folks with attitudes like yours makes it even harder.
According to your employers website and looking at everyone’s salary, I would say compared to your civilian counterpart, depending, if your job has a civilian equal, I would say your doing very well.
And since your salary is dependent on TAX DOLLARS, i would argue that taxpayers have the right to voice said opinion. You should never be frustrated with your customers remember “Your happy to serve”
And , “it could be worse”!!!!
Just sayin. Don’t want to get in fights with y’all. looking at things differently because it’s good for all of us to do once in a ‘BLUE MOON’. really a blue moon on Friday! ?
No I personally do Not have a civilian counterpart and I agree, My salary is paid by tax dollars and I serve the public faithfully, however I am a human being, with feelings and opinions. I will do the very best I can for you, I will leap to the public’s every command and have for 12 years. My feelings can get hurt just like anyone else’s. I however being a public servant have to serve whether I like you or whether you have hurt me or insulted me. Chances are I am being blamed for laws or rules I did not create but was hired to enforce. Never EVER should the public be aware if a public employee is upset or hurt. County workers are the silent masses that put up with the publics abuse with a smile on our faces