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Cerritos property preservation commission adopts resolutions for multiple properties; one motion fails
Summary
At its May 20, 2025, meeting the Cerritos Property Preservation Commission found several properties to be public nuisances under Cerritos Municipal Code chapter 6.2 and set abatement periods; one proposed resolution failed for lack of a second after commissioners noted progress at the site.
The Cerritos Property Preservation Commission on May 20, 2025 adopted a series of resolutions finding multiple properties in the city to be property nuisances under Cerritos Municipal Code chapter 6.2 and setting short abatement periods, while declining to adopt a proposed resolution for one address after commissioners said the property had shown recent improvement.
The commission (Chair Chokshi; Vice Chair Spitzer; Commissioners Ferrer, Robles and Westfall) heard staff reports from code enforcement officers and voted on six docketed nuisance cases. Most resolutions carried unanimously; one adopted 4–1 and one failed for lack of a second.
Why it matters: Resolutions that find a property a nuisance begin a short abatement timeline that can lead to administrative fines or city abatement work if owners do not correct violations. The cases addressed issues commonly enforced under the municipal code — inadequate ground cover, dead vegetation, visible trash/debris, inoperable vehicles and exterior maintenance.
Votes at a glance (items discussed May 20, 2025)
- 11300 block of Boss Street (owner Cheryl Hudson Thomas). Staff reported a lack of adequate ground cover, dead vegetation and an inoperable vehicle; the vehicle was reported removed before the hearing. Staff recommended adoption of a resolution (recorded as PPC 2025-23 in the meeting record) setting a 30‑day abatement period. Motion adopted, vote: 5–0.
- 13400 block of Park Avenue (owner Marilyn Jackson). Staff reported lack of adequate ground cover; the owner described a large parkway tree and prior water‑line repairs. Staff recommended adoption of a resolution (resolution number not specified in the meeting transcript) setting a 21‑day abatement period. Motion adopted, vote: 5–0. Staff also advised the owner on the city’s tree‑removal/arborist/appeal process.
- 19000 block of Stephanie Avenue. Staff reported lack of landscape maintenance, dead vegetation and exterior repair needs. Staff recommended adoption of a resolution (recorded in the meeting record as PPC 2025‑207). Motion adopted, vote: 5–0.
- 11300 block of Agnes Street. Staff reported lack of adequate ground cover, lack of landscape maintenance and dead vegetation; staff noted recent activity by the lawn service. Staff recommended a resolution recorded as PPC 2025‑22 and the commission adopted it by a 4–1 vote.
- 13700 block of Anthony Drive. Staff recommended a resolution (recorded as PPC 2025‑24) after inspections showed weeds and lack of maintenance; several commissioners reported visible, marked improvement at the property. A motion to adopt was made but received no second and therefore failed.
- 13700 block of Park Street. Staff recommended a resolution recorded as PPC 2025‑26 for visible trash cans, debris and lack of landscape maintenance. Motion adopted, vote: 5–0.
- 17200 block of Evening Star Avenue. Staff recommended a resolution recorded as PPC 2025‑28 for lack of landscape maintenance and structural exterior repairs; motion adopted, vote: 5–0.
What the commission decided to do: Where resolutions were adopted, the commission set abatement periods (generally 21 or 30 days as noted by staff); staff reiterated that fines are imposed only if owners fail to comply within the abatement time frame. Where a motion failed, the property will remain under staff observation and may return to a future agenda if violations persist.
Speakers quoted in the meeting record included code enforcement officers who presented each staff report and the property owners who addressed the commission during the public‑hearing portion. The meeting record shows the commission and staff repeatedly emphasizing willingness to work with owners on remediation plans so long as demonstrable progress is made.
Next steps: Staff will follow the abatement timelines established by each adopted resolution, return properties to the commission for compliance checks as required by the municipal process, and notify owners about appeal rights when relevant.
