The Inyo County Board on Sept. 23 approved a zone reclassification and related map that will convert the unfinished Arbors condominium development at the northeast corner of U.S. 395 and Barlow Lane into 22 fee‑simple single‑family lots.

Planning staffer Catherine Richards explained the site is already developed with streets, curbs, lighting, water and sewer service to each unit’s lot line; five of the 22 units have been built and one remains under construction. The applicant plans to dissolve the condominium association through the California Department of Real Estate, then record a final subdivision map creating 22 individual lots.

Richards said the change requires reclassifying the property from a Multi‑family R‑3 zone to a single‑family R‑1 designation with reduced lot sizes and modified setbacks that reflect the existing building footprints. The proposal keeps densities within the general plan’s medium‑high residential designation. The planning commission and staff concluded the change is covered by the project’s prior environmental review and is exempt under the common‑sense CEQA exemption.

Conditions and next steps: The record of decision requires formation of a homeowners association to maintain private streets, curbs, lighting and the small pocket park on the site. The County added a condition from the sewer district requiring that any additional piping from the street to individual dwellings be installed and paid for by the lot owner. Planning confirmed no public roads will be accepted; the internal streets remain private.

Ending: Board members said the conversion will put vacant lots into buildable condition and create private ownership options for the current condominium owners. Planning staff will finalize ordinance language and return any outstanding documents needed to record the final map once the condominium dissolution through the Department of Real Estate is complete.