Planning Commission OKs 10‑year renewal for Gridley Park wireless facility used by Verizon Wireless

The Cerritos Planning Commission on Sept. 3 voted 5–0 to approve a 10‑year renewal of a wireless telecommunication permit for an existing Verizon Wireless facility located on a Southern California Edison transmission tower within Gridley Park.

The facility is on the western portion of Gridley Park near Ridley Road, east of Gridley Road and north of Del Amo Boulevard. Associate Planner Wyman Wong told commissioners the renewal request “does not include any physical changes to the existing wireless facility,” and staff and the city’s retained third‑party wireless consultant reviewed the site and recommended approval.

The renewal is an entitlement only; no new antennas, structures or changes to the equipment enclosure were proposed. Wong said staff inspected the site to confirm required signage and that the equipment previously approved under the permit had not been modified without city approval. “Staff has determined that the facility is category exempt from CEQA,” he said.

Commissioners pressed staff on maintenance, inspection and enforcement. Commissioner Asserti asked whether the city requires an independent, third‑party audit before renewal to check structural safety or other conditions; Wong and other staff said the city retains a third‑party consultant whose report is included with the agenda and that the consultant confirms compliance with FCC regulations covering emissions. Staff said routine inspection responsibility also rests with the carrier and that the city’s consultant and building inspectors review conformance.

On the lapse that led to the renewal request, staff explained that wireless telecommunication permits run for 10 years to allow the city to update conditions and ensure consistency with state law. Staff said the carrier initiated the renewal shortly after the permit expired and that renewals commonly coincide with equipment upgrades or personnel changes at carriers. Staff also said limited department staffing has contributed to occasional gaps between expiration and renewal.

Commissioners discussed possible process changes to reduce future lapses. Staff noted the city council has approved a permitting software upgrade that will provide automated flags for permit expirations; staff said the new system should allow staff to be alerted in advance of future expirations. The commission also heard that the property owner for the tower is Southern California Edison and that the ground‑level equipment at the site is contained within a locked equipment enclosure.

Sarah, a Base Consulting representative for Verizon Wireless, told the commission that Verizon has processes to renew permits and that Verizon was not the original entitlement holder for the 2013 permit but had taken on the renewal process after identifying the expiration.

The commission closed the public hearing and approved the renewal 5–0. The renewed entitlement will run for a new 10‑year period from 2025 to 2035 if finalized.

Votes at a glance: Wireless telecommunication permit renewal — approved 5–0.