Barks for Books? PetSmart May Replace Former Borders Bookstore at Cerritos Towne Center

The vacant space at the Cerritos Towne Center formerly occupied by could soon be the home to a “Pets Hotel” and “Doggie Day Camp.”

At its September 7 meeting in the Cerritos City Council Chambers, the Planning Commission unanimously approved a resolution for approval of a conditional use permit for a PetSmart pet supply retail store.

Next, the approved resolution will be presented before the City Council for consideration.

If approved by the council, PetSmart will occupy the nearly 19,000 square-foot retail space at 12741 Towne Center Drive, formerly occupied by Borders.

Vestar Property Management, which manages the 600,000 square-foot Towne Center, made the request for the conditional use permit.

Associate Planner Wyman Wong explained to the commission during a PowerPoint presentation why a conditional use permit was required.

Wong said issues such as pets relieving themselves and potential noise merited the requirement. He added that Cerritos’ Municipal Code regulates pet shops and veterinary clinics, requiring the permit.

The meeting’s agenda report contained language further explaining some of the reasons for the conditional permit.

It read: “The approval of most retail uses in Cerritos Towne Center is currently covered under Conditional Use Permit 92-6.”

The statement continued: “However, in light of the unique nature of the applicant’s proposal, which provides for other accessory uses in addition to the retail sale of pet supplies, an additional conditional use permit is required.”

Project-specific conditions include:

• Pet relief. The applicant shall implement measures to deter pet relief around the store and in the common areas close to the premises, including the adjacent plaza area and food court.
• New palm trees. The applicant shall install four new date palm trees within the Towne Center.
• Sound attenuation. The applicant shall install sound attenuation on all walls of the subject tenant space that abut other tenant spaces in order to prevent the transmission of noises generated by barking dogs.
• Prohibition of outdoor activities. Activities associated with the day-to-day operation of the subject pet shop, including veterinary services, pet boarding, grooming, and pet training, shall remain wholly contained inside the building.

Commissioner Alon Barlevy asked if PetSmart wanted to hold outside pet adoption events whether the prohibition of outdoor activities applied.

Torrey Contreras, director of community development, said a temporary permit would have to be requested by the company and granted by the city in accordance with the municipal code for such an event.

Representatives for PetSmart attended the meeting and took questions from the commission.

Commissioner Chuong Vo asked for more details explaining how the company would mitigate concerns about pets relieving themselves.

Jamie Carroll, a remodel project manager, said there will be dispensers located inside the store. She added, “There will be designated waste areas in the Pet Hotel and Doggie Day Camp.”

Barlevy also pointed out that currently exist in the Towne Center. He said both businesses were similar, and asked city staff to clarify if the commission had a role in determining proximity.

City Attorney Adrian Guerra said the issue was not within the purview of the commission.

Vestar representative Jeff Lochner said his company had conducted research prior to making its request.

“We have determined there’s plenty of demand,” he added.

PetSmart provides sale of pet supplies, veterinary services, overnight pet boarding (“Pets Hotel”) and daytime boarding (“Doggie Day Camp“), pet grooming and pet training among other services.

The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled to be held Wednesday, Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Cerritos City Council Chambers.