The Cerritos Planning Commission unanimously voted 5‑0 to recommend that the City Council adopt Development Code Amendment 2025‑1, General Plan Amendment 2025‑1 and Development Map Amendment 2025‑1 to establish Area Development Plans (ADP 18, ADP 19 and ADP 21) and rezone three nonresidential sites identified in the city's 2021‑2029 Housing Element.

Advanced Planning Manager Sabrina Chan told the commission the city's certified 2021‑2029 Housing Element identified five sites with combined capacity for 1,908 housing units, the number assigned by the state under the regional housing needs assessment (RHNA). Of those five sites, three (referred to in staff materials as Site A, Site 7 and Site B) are currently zoned for commercial or industrial uses and must be rezoned to allow residential uses to comply with state law and retain housing element certification. "The item before you tonight is related to the rezoning of 3 sites identified in the city's 2021 to 2029 housing element to allow for the potential future development of housing," Chan said.

Chan and staff made clear the city is not proposing any specific development tonight; the actions are regulatory rezones to allow future residential development and to establish site‑specific standards. Staff further noted that rezoning to implement a certified housing element is exempt from CEQA under state law (Senate Bill 131 / Public Resources Code section 21080.085) and that HCD provided minor clarifying edits that were incorporated into the posted addendum.

Public comment included support from Catherine Pasquale, who urged the commission to consider forthcoming state guidance on single‑stair buildings (AB 835) that could enable larger family units, and a speaker who confirmed his written comments had been received. Commissioners reiterated that the actions are limited to rezoning; no specific project approvals were requested or given.

Commissioner Gaveri moved to recommend the entitlements to the City Council and Commissioner Al seconded. The motion passed on an electronic vote, 5‑0. If the City Council approves the recommendations, staff said the entitlements are tentatively scheduled for City Council consideration on Dec. 11, 2025, with second reading and adoption on Jan. 12, 2026 and implementation beginning Feb. 11, 2026.

Speakers quoted in this article are identified in the meeting record and in the speakers list below.