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Cerritos planners ask council to study updates to commercial and industrial signage and lighting rules
Summary
After extended discussion and a public comment, the Planning Commission voted 4-0 to ask City Council to authorize staff to scope a review of commercial and industrial signage and lighting regulations, with an emphasis on language in general plan policy CD4.2 and modern sign technology.
The Cerritos Planning Commission voted unanimously on June 3 to ask the City Council to authorize a staff-led review of commercial and industrial lighting and signage regulations and to return to the commission with a defined scope. The direction asks staff to address language in the general plan (specifically policy CD4.2) and to consider modern signage technologies, master sign programs and equitable treatment across business types.
Vice Chair Chan, who brought the item forward for further study, framed the issue around business needs and code clarity: "At the end of the day, I want businesses to thrive," he said, urging the city to revisit language that he described as favoring certain industries. Commissioner Javi and others raised concerns that some sign code language and master sign programs appear to benefit particular centers or industries and asked for a transparent, business-friendly update process.
Staff described the process under policy 6.02 for commissions to request special projects and said that a formal transmittal should include a specific scope so City Council can decide whether to direct staff resources; staff estimated analytic costs could range from about $5,000 to $100,000 depending on scope. Assistant City Attorney and staff clarified that code amendments require council direction and public notice.
Resident David Pyman urged the commission to expand its role in code review and said more commission involvement and clearer scope would prevent repeated rehashing of the issue in future meetings. After discussion commissioners approved option one, directing staff to draft a transmittal with a proposed scope for Council consideration; the motion passed 4-0.
Why it matters: Signage and lighting rules affect how businesses advertise and how public spaces look and perform; commissioners emphasized balancing aesthetics, safety, technology changes and equitable treatment of different commercial zones. The commission requested a clear process and scope for the Council to consider in deciding whether to authorize work and potential staffing or consultant resources.
