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Planning commission recommends approval for massage business at Pioneer Boulevard
Summary
The Cerritos Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of Conditional Use Permit 2026-1 for Sam Wellness and Spa at 20110 Pioneer Boulevard, citing compliance with local code and state licensing requirements; staff noted the project is CEQA-exempt under section 15301.
The Cerritos Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of Conditional Use Permit (CUP) 2026-1 on Wednesday, clearing the way for Sam Wellness and Spa to operate at 20110 Pioneer Boulevard, Suite D.
Senior planner Jeremy Lowe told the commission the property is in Area Development Plan 18 and the proposed business would operate Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The applicant submitted a menu of services and indicated that all therapists would be California state-certified massage therapists, in line with Chapter 5.22 of the Cerritos Municipal Code. Lowe said the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under section 15301.
“The applicant has indicated that all massage therapists at Sam Wellness and Spa will be state of California certified massage therapists in accordance with Cerritos municipal code requirements,” Lowe said during his presentation.
Applicant representative Naruman Salu described the ownership team and operations, saying the business currently operates a location in Lakewood and plans to staff the Cerritos site with at least one on-site manager and initially two certified therapists, adding more as demand requires. Salu emphasized the owners’ intent to operate legally and to comply with licensing rules: “We are strict … we firmly saying to everyone that we not doing anything like illegal activity.”
Commissioners questioned staff and the applicant about whether previous CUPs transfer on a sale, separation from nearby housing and a nearby development, the number of therapy rooms, and staffing during busy periods. Lowe confirmed that CUPs are non-transferable and that a new owner must apply for a new CUP; he said the 2026 CUP would reflect the same operational requirements as the earlier 2018 permit but issued to the new applicant. Staff also noted that the site currently has four rooms highlighted for massage use and that no interior modifications were proposed.
Residents raised questions about proximity to a preschool and the recently approved townhome project across the street. Resident David Pyman and others asked staff to confirm whether any minimum distance requirements applied; staff replied that the municipal code includes no minimum setback between massage establishments and other uses and that state licensing limits some aspects of local regulation.
After discussion, Commissioner Armen Reyes moved to approve CUP 2026-1 and Commissioner Chowan seconded the motion. The commission held a verbal roll-call vote and approved the resolution recommending the CUP to the city council, 5-0.
The resolution forwarded to the council includes standard conditions of approval tied to business licensing and compliance with Chapter 5.22; staff indicated hours of operation will also be reviewed by the business license unit if the council adopts the recommendation. The commission congratulated the applicants and closed the public hearing.
Next steps: the commission’s action was a recommendation; the city council will consider the resolution and any formal adoption of the CUP at a subsequent council meeting.
