Cerritos commission finds several properties in violation, directs staff to seek abatement; two cases closed without resolution

CERRITOS, Calif. — The Cerritos Property Preservation Commission on Aug. 26, 2025, adopted resolutions finding multiple properties in the city constitute public nuisances for issues including lack of landscape maintenance, visible debris, inoperable vehicles and needed exterior repairs, and directed staff to transmit the resolutions to the Cerritos City Council for abatement.

The commission acted after staff reports detailing repeated inspections and notices for each property. For six properties the panel voted 5-0 to adopt resolutions setting abatement periods; two properties were removed from resolution consideration after staff confirmed repairs or partial compliance, and one case was scheduled for continued staff follow-up on related parking and landscaping issues.

The actions matter because the adopted resolutions start formal abatement processes that can lead to fines or city-performed work if owners do not bring properties into compliance within set periods. Staff told the commission similar properties have required multiple notices over months before corrective work was completed.

Code Enforcement Officer Darnell Jerry and Senior Code Enforcement Officer Artema presented the bulk of the staff reports. Jerry told the commission that inspections at the 12300 block of Edgefield Street found dead vegetation and a lack of ground cover after multiple notices and a granted extension; staff recommended a resolution to “ensure compliance.” At the hearing the property’s owner, Sandeep Kangri, identified himself as a new homeowner: “We are new to the city. We just got the house, and we relocate first house, new home buyers.” Kangri told the commission he hired a gardener who has attended the property intermittently and that he is arranging new landscaping and asked for assistance with standing water near the driveway. Commissioners and staff said Public Works would follow up with the owner on drainage and slope concerns.

Several other cases followed similar patterns of repeated inspections and mailed notifications earlier in 2025. Staff recommended adoption of resolutions (commonly with 7- or 30-day abatement periods, as noted below) and the commission voted unanimously on each motion where a resolution was proposed.

Votes at a glance (agenda item, block, case#, key violation, abatement period or outcome):

- Item 6g — 12300 Block of Edgefield Street (PPC2025-48): dead vegetation, lack of landscape maintenance; staff recommended a resolution; motion by Vice Chair Spitzer, second by Commissioner Ferrer; vote 5-0 — resolution adopted; staff to transmit to City Council.

- Item 6a — 11300 Block of Agnes Street (PPC2025-42): vehicle parked on front yard blocking sidewalk; trash cans in view; recurring landscape maintenance issues; staff recommended a resolution with a 7-day abatement period; motion by Commissioner Ferrer, second by Vice Chair Spitzer; vote 5-0 — resolution adopted.

- Item 6b — 19700 Block of Ray Circle (PPC2025-43): lack of adequate ground cover and dying vegetation; staff recommended a 30-day abatement period; motion by Commissioner Westfall, second by Vice Chair Spitzer; vote 5-0 — resolution adopted.

- Item 6c — 19900 Block of Ray Circle (PPC2025-44): repair and paint needed, visible oil stains and lack of landscape maintenance; staff recommended a 30-day abatement period; motion by Vice Chair Spitzer, second by Commissioner Westfall; vote 5-0 — resolution adopted.

- Item 6d — 13600 Block of Hart Drive (PPC2025-45): lack of adequate ground cover; staff reported reseeding and plantings had been done recently but recommended a resolution to ensure compliance with a 30-day abatement period; motion by Commissioner Ferrer, second by Commissioner Robles; vote 5-0 — resolution adopted.

- Item 6e — 12600 Block of Park Street (PPC2025-46): owner obtained color approval and completed wood-element repairs after posting; staff recommended not adopting a resolution; no motion to adopt a resolution was taken (no action).

- Item 6f — 17100 Block of Piras Avenue (PPC2025-47): landscaping and exterior elements in need of repair and paint; property manager reported painting scheduled and owner deciding on ground cover; staff recommended a resolution; motion by Vice Chair Spitzer, second by Commissioner Westfall; vote 5-0 — resolution adopted.

- Item 6h — 13200 Block of Brerwood Street (PPC2025-49): inoperable vehicle previously observed; staff corrected an error in the agenda report about the initial observation date and reported the vehicle had been restored to operable condition; staff recommended not adopting a resolution but noted additional parking/landscaping issues could be investigated separately; no resolution adopted (no action), staff to continue follow-up as needed.

- Item 6i — 17900 Block of Sabrenti/A Brandy Avenue (PPC2025-50): debris and trash stored in public view; partial removal reported by owner but debris remained on inspection; staff recommended adoption of a resolution; motion by Vice Chair Spitzer, second by Commissioner Westfall; vote 5-0 — resolution adopted.

Commissioners who voted on the motions were Chair Chokshi, Vice Chair Spitzer, Commissioner Ferrer, Commissioner Westfall and Commissioner Rojas (all votes reported as 5-0 on adopted resolutions). Where staff recommended not to adopt a resolution, the commission accepted staff’s recommendation and no formal resolution was passed.

Clarifying details recorded during the meeting: - Repeated inspections spanned dates in 2025 (examples: inspections and notices in March–August 2025; dates vary by case). - Abatement periods recommended in reports were typically 7 days (for select violations) or 30 days for broader landscape/repair items; staff reports specify the abatement period per case. - For the Edgefield Street case, the owner requested and received a 30-day extension earlier in the process; staff nevertheless recommended a resolution after further inspections showed noncompliance.

Staff will forward adopted resolutions to the Cerritos City Council and continue to work with property owners where staff recommended additional follow-up or where the commission did not adopt a resolution. The commission had no additional items to report and adjourned the meeting after completing the public hearings.