Shell Station Conversion Will Proceed

The Cerritos Planning Commission conducted a “narrow and focused” review at the request of the City Council, pertaining to an existing Shell Station which will be converted into a convenience service station.

The commission unanimously passed a motion to approve the architectural design review, approving an exterior remodeling of the project’s existing location.

During the July 6 meeting in the Cerritos Council Chambers, the commission discussed the located at the southeast corner of Studebaker Road and South Street for the second time.

At the commission’s April 6 meeting, the body approved the station’s owner, J & A Enterprises Group, to convert the full-service automobile station into a convenience station.

The commission revisited the project after it was approved by the City Council.

Director of Community Development Torrey Contreras said during the meeting that the council asked the commission to conduct a “narrow and focused” review of the project, which included an architectural design component.

Contreras added that the council requested the applicant submit a revised design review, replete with enhancements for commission final review before the project moved forward.

After Contreras’ comments, Senior Planner Sandra Cisneros showed a PowerPoint presentation, displaying revised renderings of the project, updated with architectural changes to the exterior façade.

Commissioner Alon Barlevy asked, “Why didn’t the council like the original proposal?”

Cisneros said “a few service stations have come before us of late” and that city staff had been directed to hold applicants to a set criteria.

Contreras said, “The primary focus of the City Council at the time was to create an improvement at the gateway of the Cerritos Auto Square.”

He later added, “This alternative is a bit more contemporary and it does use enhanced materials.”

Once the conversion takes place, the existing location’s three mechanic bays will be eliminated, and the station will provide food such as sandwiches and alcoholic beverages.

Commission Cancels Three Meetings Next Year

During the Planning Commission’s new and old business portion of its meeting, potential modifications to next year’s schedule became a minor controversy.

Ryan Carey, management analyst, said the annual schedule review was routine and is designed to mitigate potential conflicts.

Carey said 2012 commission meetings staff recommended to cancel were July 4, November 21 and December 19.

Carey said the commission doesn’t meet on holidays (eliminating July 4); the November date was the day before Thanksgiving and the December date was the week before Christmas, “when people would likely be traveling.”

However, Barlevy said, “I feel uncomfortable canceling three out of 24 meetings.”

Instead, Barlevy proposed rescheduling the meetings for months containing five Wednesdays. He also suggested the possibility of meeting back-to-back weeks.

Carey said there usually aren’t enough projects to justify meeting consecutive weeks. Chair Larry Sagert also shot down the idea, saying the commission’s bi-weekly schedule allows the City Council to approve and recommend projects for review.

Commissioner Chuong Vo said, “I understand that canceling public meetings isn’t always the best thing, but I also understand that we need to be efficient too.”

In a 3-2 decision, the commission voted top cancel the dates. Commissioners Barlevy and Frank Yokoyama were the “no” votes.

The next Planning Commission is scheduled to be held Wednesday, July 20 at 7 p.m. in the Cerritos Council Chambers.