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Planning commission approves Airgas plan for eight liquid-argon storage tanks at Dice Road site
Summary
The Santa Fe Springs Planning Commission approved a development plan and modification to allow eight new liquid-argon storage tanks at 8832 Dice Road, with staff finding the project ancillary to an existing industrial use and exempt from CEQA under specified classes.
The Santa Fe Springs Planning Commission voted 5-0 to approve Development Plan Approval (DPA) Case No. 1013 and Modification Permit Case No. 1366 to allow eight new metal tanks for liquid argon storage at 8832 Dice Road.
Staff said the tanks would be placed about 400 feet from Dice Road and about 600 feet from Sorensen Avenue on property zoned M-2 (heavy manufacturing), and that the applicant is Airgas USA. Assistant planner Alejandro Del Del Lora told the commission the company has operated at the location for more than 50 years and said, “The main reason for the request is for the storage capacity in case of a supply chain issue.”
Staff recommended adoption of a notice of exemption under CEQA Class 3 (new construction of small structures) and Class 11 (accessory structures), and recommended approval subject to the conditions in the commission’s resolution. The project includes painting the tanks white to reduce solar heating and to reduce visual contrast with surrounding industrial uses, staff said. Photo simulations presented at the hearing show the tanks set well into the lot and partially screened by existing landscaping.
Commissioners asked about visibility and neighboring storage tanks; staff noted similar storage structures nearby and said the design preserved required fire access and existing parking. There were no public comments at the hearing. The commission adopted Resolution No. 282-2025 incorporating the findings and actions on the project. The record shows a 14-day appeal period following the action.
The proposal references earlier entitlements on the site, including CUP Case No. 485 for the compressed gas repackaging facility and prior DPA Case No. 594 for a building addition; staff said the new tanks would not interfere with those approvals. The staff report said the tanks are ancillary to the existing use and are not expected to increase traffic or create additional safety risks.
The planning commission’s roll-call vote was: Commissioner Flores — Aye; Commissioner Cervantes — Aye; Commissioner Ayala — Aye; Vice Chair Jimenez — Aye; Chair Sarno — Aye. The meeting materials and staff presentation indicate noticing was mailed to property owners within 500 feet and published in the Los Cerritos Community Newspaper on Feb. 28, 2025.
A 14-day appeal period applies to the commission’s approval; no appeal had been filed during the meeting.
