City planning staff reported to the Cerritos Economic Development Commission on Oct. 14 that permitting and development activity show continuing private reinvestment across the city, while staff and property owner Macerich are in early discussions about a potential mixed‑use redevelopment of the former Sears parcel at Los Cerritos Center.

Community Development staff said the city had issued 1,513 permits and finaled 1,638 permits as of September 2025; July had the most permit activity with 207 issuances and the city averages about 170 permits per month. “This ongoing activity demonstrates strong private investment in property upgrades, tenant improvements, and new development,” staff said in the presentation.

Staff reviewed a list of active and near‑term projects: Valley Christian High School’s stadium remodel (new bleachers, synthetic turf and rubberized track) is expected to be finalized by October 2025; Volvo will operate within the existing Volkswagen Cerritos facility with new signage planned at Studebaker Road and 180th Street; Tour Le Jour completed an exterior patio project at South Street and Carmenita Road in early October 2025; Keystone Plaza’s Phase 1 facade and refacing are underway with Phase 2 in plan check; two new single‑family residences on Artesia Boulevard (one with a detached accessory dwelling unit) began construction after permits issued in September 2025.

Commercial projects include Extra Space Storage’s conversion of a first floor from vehicle storage to self‑storage (new signage is being installed), the Chick‑fil‑A remodel at Los Cerritos Center, AutoZone’s interior and facade improvements on South Street, and a Ford reconditioning facility planned within Cerritos Auto Square. Industrial proposals noted include a new 58,000‑square‑foot industrial building on Edwards Road and a 75,000‑square‑foot facility at 17600 Crusader Avenue, both with permits nearing issuance or ready to begin construction. On Shoemaker Avenue, plans for a new 159,000‑square‑foot industrial building are nearing plan‑check completion.

Staff also described ongoing conceptual discussions with Macerich, owner of Los Cerritos Center, about redevelopment of the former Sears area. Staff said the concept envisions a mixed‑use project with retail, a hotel and above‑market‑rate residential uses integrated into the mall campus. The city noted that state housing law requires sites identified in the housing element to be rezoned to allow housing; staff said the city’s housing element identified the Sears site to accommodate about 375 market‑rate units as part of the city’s allocation to meet 1,908 units required in the housing element.

Commissioners asked technical questions about parking for industrial and self‑storage conversions, project compliance with the Municipal Code and next steps for the mall parcel. City staff said the community development department and the city manager’s office are in continuous discussions with Macerich and that the planning team is preparing rezoning and development standards for consideration by the planning commission and city council. Staff said development standards will likely resemble the recently approved ARIA apartment development and that building heights could be in the five‑to‑seven‑story range depending on the final rezoning.

Votes at a glance: The commission approved the consent calendar minutes by a voice/electronic vote. The motion to approve the minutes was moved by “Commissioner Huw” and seconded by “Mr. Tagle”; electronic voting resulted in a 4‑0 recorded tally and the motion carried.

Ending: Staff recommended the commission receive and file the development update. Commissioners requested continued updates as project entitlements advance and encouraged staff to share additional information on what attracts new businesses to choose Cerritos.