Sterling Heights could become Sterling Studios
City Planning Commission to consider permit on tuesday
The city of Bishop’s Planning Commission at its meeting today is set to conduct a public hearing and consider approval of a request for a conditional use permit to allow for the former Sterling Heights property, located at 369 East Pine Street, to be used for long-term workforce housing.
The Planning Department has received an application from property owner Aaron Schat requesting to convert the existing two-story, 44,000 square-foot assisted living facility to 58 studio units and 11 2-room suites for a total of 69 residential units, according to the city.
Sterling Heights had served the Bishop community for more than 20 years, providing independent and assisted living as well as respite care until the last residents moved out at the end of June 2021. At the time, company representatives stated that the previous few years had been a struggle, and the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic made remaining open even more of a challenge.
Residents felt the closure acutely as Sterling Heights had been the only assisted living facility within 150 miles of Bishop.
The Bishop Planning Commission at its meeting today is set to consider and possibly adopt a resolution reducing the required parking per dwelling unit from a ratio of 2:1, as set forth in the city code, to 1:1. The proposed studio units will be 324 square feet and the two-room units will be 648 square feet. The applicant is proposing to limit occupancy to single adult professionals, therefore the proposed one parking space per unit ratio is adequate.
According to city documents regarding today’s meeting, the property currently has 39 underground parking spaces. Schat is proposing to develop the rear portion of the neighboring property, which he also owns, as a parking lot with 36 parking spaces. He is proposing 75 parking spaces total. The property was formally known as Sterling Heights and is being rebranded as Sterling Studios.
The city planning commission is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. today in the City Council Chambers, 301 W. Line St., Bishop.
The meeting also can be viewed via Zoom through the city of Bishop’s website at www. cityofbishop.com.