Planning Commission approves development plan for 9005 Sorensen Avenue warehouse

The Santa Fe Springs Planning Commission on Feb. — during its reorganization meeting — approved Development Plan Approval (DPA) Case No. 1014, a proposal by Ziebeck Realty to build an 85,950‑square‑foot concrete tilt‑up industrial building at 9005 Sorensen Avenue.

Associate Planner Alejandro de la Rera told commissioners the site is designated industrial and zoned M‑2 (heavy manufacturing). The project would develop a currently vacant parcel into a speculative single‑tenant warehouse/distribution building with an 82,950‑square‑foot footprint, a 3,000‑square‑foot office mezzanine, nine dock‑high doors and 128 parking spaces. De la Rera said landscaping of 13,417 square feet is proposed, exceeding the 8,439‑square‑foot requirement, and the front setback would be about 91 feet where 42 feet is required.

The staff report noted a history of soil and groundwater contamination from past chemical repacking at the site that the Department of Toxic Substances Control has overseen; staff said remediation has reached levels suitable for commercial and industrial development. For circulation, the plan proposes two driveways (a 40‑foot truck driveway on the north and a 26‑foot passenger driveway on the south), an 8‑foot ornamental gate to provide on‑site queuing capacity for trucks, and a 26‑foot fire lane to ensure emergency access.

On environmental review, staff recommended the project be found exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA Guidelines §15332 (Class 32, infill development), stating the site is under five acres, has no sensitive habitats, would be consistent with zoning and general plan policies, and would not result in significant traffic, noise, air quality or water quality effects. Staff also reported the site is not listed on the Cortese list and that a traffic memorandum reviewed by city traffic engineering confirmed no additional VMT analysis was required. Notice of the public hearing was mailed to property owners within 500 feet and published in the Los Cerritos community newspaper; staff said no written comments were received.

Daniel Ricks, development manager for Ziebeck Realty, told the commission the building is speculative and no tenant has been secured; the developer has had market interest and will pursue tenants once construction advances. Ricks said the company typically works with large credit tenants but expects this building may attract manufacturing or third‑party logistics users.

After questions and no public speakers, Vice Chair David Ayala moved to approve the DPA and to adopt the staff resolution; Commissioner Jay Sarno seconded. The roll call vote was unanimous, 5‑0. The motion approved the staff recommendation and adopted the environmental finding. The planning commission secretary announced a 14‑day appeal period for the decision.

The staff report and presentation referenced Resolution No. 312‑2026 as incorporating the commission’s findings and conditions. During the motion the resolution number was also stated as “3122025” in the record; the transcript contains that discrepancy. The project is approved subject to the conditions listed in the adopted resolution.