Cerritos commission approves home addition and ADU conversion at 11156 Gonzalez Place

The Cerritos City Planning Commission on March 4 unanimously approved Precise Plan 2026‑2, a residential remodel at 11156 Gonzalez Place that includes a 166‑square‑foot first‑floor addition, conversion of an existing 472‑sq‑ft two‑car garage into a junior accessory dwelling unit (JADU), construction of a new 546‑sq‑ft two‑car garage and a 1,411‑sq‑ft second floor.

Senior Planner Jerry Milo presented the proposal and told commissioners, “Staff recommends that the planning commission approve Precise Plan 2026‑2 subject to all conditions of approval contained in the report.” Staff noted the project will meet city setback and lot‑coverage requirements and described a project‑specific condition (Condition of Approval 44) requiring a parkway tree to be planted with city arborist approval before final inspection to address a missing tree in the public parkway.

Commissioners asked staff how parkway tree replacement is handled and whether the homeowner must pay. Staff and Assistant City Engineer Jared Lee explained the ordinance requires replanting and that removal requests normally require an application; in some emergency removals the city will replant, but financial responsibility can depend on the circumstances. Commissioners also confirmed that a junior ADU conversion does not receive a separate address or utility meters, while a larger ADU could obtain separate addressing and meters if requested.

No members of the public spoke on the item. Commissioner Al moved to approve the plan and Vice Chair Javary seconded; the electronic vote passed 5‑0.

The approval carries the project forward subject to the conditions in the staff report, including the parkway tree requirement and standard building and construction conditions. The commission’s action completes the planning review; the JADU conversion will be processed administratively by staff after the room addition review.