Cerritos commission orders abatement for two nuisance properties; two other cases resolved or deferred

The Cerritos Property Preservation Commission approved resolutions at its Jan. 27 meeting ordering abatement for two properties found to be public nuisances and took no further action on two others after staff reported remediation.

Officer Artemann, the commission’s presenting code officer, told the panel that inspections at the 11200 block of James Place beginning July 29, 2025, documented “dead vegetation and a lack of adequate ground cover” and multiple mailed notices with no sustained compliance. Owner Brenda Harris, who identified herself as the owner of 11266 James Place, told the commission she had been doing interior renovations that made exterior work difficult, cited recent heavy rain and health problems and said she had hired contractors and was “getting there.” After closing the public hearing, the commission voted 4-0 to adopt a resolution finding the property a nuisance under Cerritos Municipal Code Chapter 6.2 and setting a 30-day abatement period.

Staff also presented the case of the 19200 block of Bashar Avenue, where inspections beginning Oct. 24, 2025, found inoperable vehicles, debris and landscape maintenance issues. Ernie Marchbank, who said he now lives at the parents’ property, described steps taken to clean the site and provided photos; he also said a vehicle was arranged for donation and auction to benefit veterans. Staff reported that by Jan. 27 the landscape and debris issues had been addressed though one vehicle condition remained uncertain. No motion to adopt a resolution was made at the meeting; staff said it will verify compliance before any further action.

For the 13200 block of Kentrice Lane, staff outlined a history of repeated notifications and intermittent compliance, and reported that as of Jan. 27 debris and oil stains had been removed but exterior repairs remained. Given the property’s repeated violations, staff recommended adopting a resolution with a 30-day abatement period. The commission approved the recommendation by a 4-0 vote.

A fourth case, on the 12500 block of Willow Creek Lane, was closed without action after staff met with the tenant and confirmed the oil stains cited in the notice had been removed; staff recommended no further action.

During the meeting commissioners and staff discussed practical remedies such as recycling options and the limits of city liability when providing contractor referrals. Commissioners noted the role of verification: where visible remediation was shown, the commission declined to adopt a formal resolution and asked staff to confirm sustained compliance.

The commission also approved the consent calendar (minutes of Nov. 25, 2025) and had no additional staff reports. The meeting adjourned at about 7:32 p.m.