With Bishop’s housing problems escalating into staffing problems, Aaron Schat presented a potential solution, or at least a partial solution, to the city’s conundrum—convert Sterling Heights, the former assisted living facility on Pine Street, to a 69-unit apartment building.
The concept itself wasn’t under scrutiny. What to do with the vehicles of those inhabiting the newly-named Sterling Studios was the topic of debate at Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting.
The conditional use permit was approved 4-2, allowing the project to go forward with a parking ratio of 1:1, rather than the current 2:1 ratio required by the zoning. The project had support from Northern Inyo Hospital and the Toiyabe Indian Health Project, both of whom employ health care “travelers” who can’t find a place to live.
Schat’s plans included walls and landscaping to shield the parking area. The public areas in the building, including the commercial kitchen, would be maintained and available to tenants. In response to a question of limiting occupancy to single adults, Schat said it would be “set up like Mammoth Mountain’s employee housing with employees directed to the facility.”
As is, the facility has parking for 39 vehicles in an existing area under the building. Schat’s plan would add another 36 spots behind the single-family residence, which Schat also purchased, to the west of Sterling Heights. Four additional spaces would be allocated within the City-owned alleyway. The proposed parking area would be accessed by that alley-way. That access would be designated as one-way, with a second, similar, alley way on the east side of the facility as the parking exit.
So, what’s the problem? Those alleys have traditionally been used to access City Park to the north of the site. So, little-used “roads” currently used by pedestrians would now have traffic.
Apparently, there is not much in the books to cover the plan. As attorney Russel Hildebrand explained “this is a re-use of a non-conforming use.” In addition, there’s a state-wide push for more housing. “The hospital is absorbing rentals as they come available for travelers,” said Kelli Davis, NIHD’s chief executive officer. “We have to think outside the box.”
During the Commission discussion, Erik Leitch expressed concern with parking in the alley ways and providing housing that suits the neighborhood. He asked if Schat considered demolishing the house to increase the number of designated parking spots and getting the four cars out of the alley-way. “It’s a half-a-million house,” Schat said. “I’d rather not demolish it.” That statement pretty much sums up affordable housing issues in Inyo County.
While Leitch pushed for a different configuration, a motion consistent with the staff recommendation to reduce the parking to dwelling unit ration to 1:1 was made and approved.
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There’s 1 commercial kitchen 69 residents all using it at one time does anyone see a problem where do people keep their own food are there refrigerators in each unit and with people coming and going at all hours doesn’t sound very relaxing sounds like it will keep law enforcement busy my sympathy goes out to surrounding neighborhood
The commercial kitchen is not for use by all the tenants.Where on earth did you get that idea? There’s been nothing about a communal kitchen use area mentioned that I am aware of. There is a possibility a local food vendor might rent or lease the kitchen for food preparation to sell off-site. Aaron Schat stated at the city council meeting, he’s not proposing to see a fast-food or restaurant in the facility.
There are other legitimate issues that wii need to be addressed regarding parking and traffic, but the use of the commercial kitchen is one of them. The options for its use are very narrow and limited. It should be interesting to see if how it plays out.
Charles good info this must of been batted around for awhile it was new to me , ?are these efficiency units kitchens a regulat refrigerator has anyone canvased the surrounding area my experience has been people will park where it’s convenient, etc blocking driveways. My reference to schatsville was me keeping my sense of humor to all the properties that Aron has purchased in the last few years referring to changing the name of bishop
Much more has only very recently come out…and there are a number of things that just simply have yet to be addressed, but not enough to delay moving forward. If you have not done so already, visit the City of Bishop’s website to watch the Planning Commission meeting and look at documentation. It should answer some of your questions.
I drove over there today to take a closer look at the property just to have a better idea of the issues, which is mostly parking and traffic concerns.
So far, there’s been very little, if any opposition and I suspect a lot of people support this project, otherwise it’ll be just another large empty building in town.
Maybe the idea regarding use of the commercial kitchen came from the Sierra Wave story, “Schat’s plans included walls and landscaping to shield the parking area. The public areas in the building, including the commercial kitchen, would be maintained and available to tenants.”
Sounds like employee housing for the Schat businesses that’s a lot of people in that neighborhood has anyone talked to them also the traffic, sounds like a mess many people use that to access tha community garden which already has a pilfering problem oh well there goes another good thing about bishop welcome to schatsville wonder when the company store opens.
Less then ideal housing is better than no housing. I just hope it’s affordable!
In part, it is employee housing for some Schat’s employees, but to characterize it as “schatsville” is disingenuous. The units are going to become available to employees of other businesses as well, not the least of which will include Northern Inyo Hospital and the Toiyabe Indian Health Project. It’s likely other large employers bringing in temporary employees from outside the area will also look to take advantage of the facility. It’s also likely that the businesses in the Mammoth Lakes area and the Mountain itself will look to take advantage of the opportunity to secure several units for their needs as well.
There’s been virtually no real opposition to this project simply because there are so few options to its use. It’s already failed as a assisted living facility and there’s a severe housing shortage in the area.
This project is only a partial solution.
Zoning for higher-density housing in areas with little or no available land is a major remedy, and one being pushed by the state to address the housing issue. There is no “one size fits all” solution to the problem, but this will hopefully help.
Sounds like; another pseudonym spewing speculation. Why not complain about three legged toads that could overrun the planet?
The community has issues that need addressing. Publishing irrelevant fiction from ignorant pseudonyms does not help solve anything.
Sure russ they do but they never will there are problems you can’t control 1 white flight, the second absentee homeowners which in bishop is growing ,and I’m sure your smart enough to realize the problems they cause as for my pseudonym I have it for a reason I worked for someone in the early 2000s who eventually butted heads with long story short they tried to get me fired from every job after they succeeded in one . I do appreciate the people that won’t work with no future and paying rent forever with no chance of ever owning a home.
I don’t think white flight is a Bishop problem.
What would people rather see done with the facility? Like, could it be a hotel?