Chapter 22.27
CR—REGIONAL COMMERCIAL ZONE
Sections:
22.27.600 Intensity standards.
22.27.700 Site development standards.
22.27.800 Environmental performance standards.
22.27.100 Purpose.
The CR zone is intended to provide for the conduct of business serving a regional area including primarily the retail sale of shopping goods and services and a variety of commercial and professional activities. It is further intended that these activities shall provide additional municipal revenue as well as business opportunities and employment opportunities for residents of the city. (Ord. 373 § 1 (part), 1972)
22.27.200 Location.
The following criteria shall be considered in establishing and maintaining the CR zone:
(1) Need based on population of service area;
(2) Convenient and efficient vehicular access from a freeway;
(3) Availability of land suitable for grouping of related activities in subcenters with pedestrian circulation within such subcenters;
(4) Location within the immediate vicinity of an existing regional center. (Ord. 373 § 1 (part), 1972)
22.27.300 Permitted uses.
Premises in the CR zone may be used for the following:
(1) Apparel stores;
(2) Appliance stores;
(3) Automobile supply stores;
(4) Banks and savings and loan institutions;
(5) Barber and beauty shops;
(6) Bicycle shops;
(7) Clinics: medical, dental, and veterinary (completely enclosed);
(8) Convention centers;
(9) Department stores;
(10) Drug stores;
(11) Florist shops;
(12) Food stores, including delicatessens, candy stores, and dairy product sales;
(13) Fortunetelling;
(14) Furniture stores;
(15) Hardware stores;
(16) Health clubs;
(17) Motels and hotels;
(18) Office buildings;
(19) Office equipment sales and services;
(20) Package liquor stores;
(21) Pet shops (completely enclosed);
(22) Public service facilities (government, civic, utility);
(23) Restaurants, including carry-out establishments, but excluding drive-in service;
(24) Stationery stores;
(25) Variety stores;
(26) Massage establishment as an accessory use (no more than one thousand square feet of the gross floor area) to a health studio, hotel, medical or chiropractic office;
(27) Comparable uses as determined according to the provisions of Section 22.20.100. (Ord. 803 § 2, 1999; Ord. 776 § 1, 1997: Ord. 737 § 21, 1994: Ord. 676 § 1, 1988: Ord. 657 § 1, 1987: Ord. 645 § 6 (part), 1986; Ord. 373 § 1 (part), 1972)
22.27.400 Conditional uses.
The following may be permitted in the CR zone if it is found in each case that: (a) the indicated criteria and limitations are satisfied; (b) the criteria in Section 23.10.210, “conditional uses,” are satisfied; and (c) specific conditions are imposed to carry out the purposes of this code:
(1) Automobile Service Stations:
(a) Criteria:
(i) Feasibility of arranging ingress and egress without interference or hazard to arterial street traffic and traffic to and from adjacent uses,
(ii) No more than one other service station located within five hundred feet,
(iii) Proposed architecture and site location enhance the appearance and character of neighboring properties;
(b) Limitations:
(i) Special design standards apply. (See regulations pertaining to “specific uses,” Section 22.40.530).
(2) Bowling Center and Other Commercial Recreation Uses:
(a) Criteria:
(i) Will not absorb land needed for the sale of convenience goods,
(ii) Feasibility of arranging ingress and egress without interference or hazard to arterial street traffic and traffic to and from adjacent uses,
(iii) Proposed architecture and site location enhance the appearance and character of neighboring properties,
(iv) Compatibility with the appearance, character, and activities of other uses located on the site,
(v) Noise mitigation measures shall include, but not be limited to, the orientation of buildings and the design of floor plans to assure that the interior ambient noise will not be heard outside the building;
(b) Limitations:
(i) Special design standards shall apply for game arcades pursuant to the provisions of Section 22.40.500.
(3) Plant Nurseries, Home and Garden Supplies:
(a) Criteria:
(i) Location on periphery of commercial area so as not to interfere with pedestrian movement and shopping,
(ii) Screening of all materials and supplies other than plants,
(iii) Will not absorb land needed for shopping.
(4) Automobile Car Washes:
(a) Criteria:
(i) Location on periphery of commercial area and at or within one hundred seventy-five feet from a street intersection so as not to interfere with pedestrian and vehicular movement,
(ii) Complete screening of all car wash operations from the public right-of-way and adjacent uses,
(iii) Located at least two hundred fifty feet from a residentially zoned area to negate any possible nuisance due to noise or other features associated with the operation of the car wash.
(5) Hospitals:
(a) Criteria:
(i) Feasibility of arranging ingress, egress and parking without interference or hazard to arterial street traffic and street and pedestrian traffic to and from adjacent uses and minimize impact on adjacent residential uses,
(ii) Standby, basic and comprehensive emergency room facilities shall not be provided if the emergency vehicle entrance and/or access route is within one thousand feet of a residential zone,
(iii) Proposed architectural and site location enhance the appearance and character of neighboring properties,
(iv) No building shall provide visual access into adjacent residential yards or buildings. Stationary windows, decorative louvers and/or other means shall be required, if necessary, to confine the view of those windows which, in any way, could provide vision into adjacent residential yards and buildings,
(v) Noise mitigation measures shall include, but not be limited to, the orientation of buildings and the design of floor plans to assure that interior and exterior noise associated with the hospital use shall not adversely impact adjacent residential uses.
(6) Clubs, lodges and meeting halls.
(7) Drive-through service restaurants, pursuant to the provisions of Section 22.40.960:
(a) Criteria:
(i) Located within a building site zoned regional commercial (CR) of at least fifteen acres in size,
(ii) Feasibility of arranging ingress, egress to the drive-through area and parking without interference or hazard to arterial street traffic, pedestrian traffic and on-site circulation to and from the restaurant and adjacent uses. On-site pedestrian and vehicular circulation must not conflict with each other,
(iii) Located at least four hundred feet from a residentially zoned area or use to negate any possible nuisances due to noise or other features associated with the operation of a drive-through service restaurant, except as provided in subsections (7)(a)(v) and (vi) of this section,
(iv) Located at least one thousand feet from other drive-through service restaurants, excluding such restaurants located in other jurisdictions, except as provided in subsections (7)(a)(v) and (vi) of this section,
(v) A drive-through service restaurant building that is located no more than four hundred feet from a freeway right-of-way shall be located a minimum of two hundred twenty-five feet from residentially zoned areas and a minimum of two hundred twenty-five feet from other drive-through service restaurant buildings,
(vi) Outdoor communication systems intended to serve patrons of the drive-through service restaurants as provided in subsection (7)(a)(v) of this section shall be set back a minimum of three hundred twenty-five feet and oriented away from residentially zoned areas,
(vii) Noise mitigation measures shall include, but not be limited to, the strategic design and orientation of the vehicular drive-through service are to effectively minimize and/or alleviate potential adverse noise impacts on adjacent uses,
(viii) Noise mitigation measures shall be implemented to reduce noise impacts generated by the operation of the communication system used to place orders. The communication system shall operate at a minimum level and in accordance with city’s noise ordinance to effectively reduce noise impacts on adjacent uses, particularly residential uses;
(b) Limitations:
(i) The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited,
(ii) Not more than one vehicular drive-through lane shall be permitted,
(iii) The time period for the use of the vehicular drive-through service area shall be established as a condition of approval,
(iv) The vehicular drive-through lane shall be integrated with existing and/or proposed on-site circulation and shall be separated from other drive aisles and parking areas by a landscape planter measuring at least five feet in width. Additional landscaping may be necessary to screen the drive-through service area from surrounding uses,
(v) The vehicular drive-through lane shall measure at least one hundred thirty feet in length, as measured from the service window. The width of the drive-through lane shall be established in accordance with engineering standards or measurements designed to accommodate a maximum of one vehicle,
(vi) Not more than one menu kiosk (not visible from the public right-of-way) is permitted and shall not exceed a measurement of seventy-two inches in width, forty-eight inches in height and twelve inches in depth,
(vii) Drive-through restaurants shall provide interior seating to accommodate on-site dining for a minimum of twenty restaurant patrons.
(8) Drive-Through Service:
(a) Criteria. Refer to Section 22.40.950 of this code.
(b) Exemption. Notwithstanding the provision of Section 22.40.950, banks and savings and loan institutions which lawfully provide drive-through service on property zoned regional commercial (CR), community commercial (CC), or neighborhood commercial (CN) as of September 24, 1998, shall be deemed conforming and permitted uses; buildings, structures and the drive-through service shall not require a conditional use permit nor be subject to the regulations in Section 22.40.950.
(9) Massage establishment.
(10) Traffic Schools, Driver Education Schools, Test Preparation Classes or Similar Adult Schools:
(a) Criteria:
(i) The minimum building square footage of the shopping center in which the school or class would be located must be no less that one hundred thousand square feet and shall not occupy more than five percent of the total square footage of the shopping center;
(ii) The number of students allowed in each class at the same time shall be based on three students per one parking space as indicated in Section 22.74.500 of the Cerritos Municipal Code;
(iii) The number of schools located in each commercial center shall be limited to a maximum of one school for every one hundred thousand square feet of commercial floor space;
(iv) Where the class of school space is within one hundred feet from residential property, the hours of operation of the school shall be restricted to eight a.m. to nine p.m., Monday through Friday, and eight a.m. to five p.m. on Saturdays with no classes on Sundays and holidays.
(11) Tutorial Schools or Classes:
(a) Criteria:
(i) Tutorial schools or classes shall not occupy more than five percent of the total square footage of all buildings on the site;
(ii) The maximum age for students enrolled in tutorial classes shall not exceed sixteen years.
(12) Public and private auctions may be permitted in the CR zone if it is found in each case that:
(a) The site has adequate size, shape, location, and configuration to permit the development of said use, ensuring that there shall not be a detrimental effect on adjacent properties and that adequate buffering and screening is provided for all activities;
(b) There is feasibility of arranging ingress and egress without interference or hazard with adjacent land uses and properties, with street traffic, or with the overall circulation pattern of the entire coordinated development;
(c) There is compatibility with adjacent land uses, structures, activities, and the architectural theme of the development and the community;
(d) The site is located, designed, and oriented in a manner that will encourage integration and compatibility of adjacent developments;
(e) The criteria of Section 23.10.210 are satisfied; and
(f) Specific conditions are imposed to carry out the purpose of this code.
(13) Personal Computer Arcades. “Personal computer arcades” are defined as network gaming centers that provide the space, equipment and the technology to make multiplayer personal computer games and computer service available to patrons for a fee. These centers also provide computer systems on a rental basis for Internet access, computer games and word processing.
(a) Criteria:
(i) The minimum building square footage of the shopping center in which a personal computer arcade can be located must be no less than one hundred thousand square feet and said use shall not occupy more than one and one-half percent of the total square footage of the shopping center; with a maximum of one thousand five hundred square feet. The number of personal computer arcades located in each commercial center shall be limited to a maximum of one personal computer arcade for every one hundred thousand square feet of commercial floor space.
(ii) The number of computers allowed in each personal computer arcade facility shall be based on three computers per each parking space.
(iii) Minors shall not enter or remain in a personal computer arcade establishment unless accompanied by a parent or guardian between ten p.m. on any day and sunrise of the immediately following day per the requirements of Chapter 9.04 of the Cerritos Municipal Code. Notice of the above-stated prohibition relating to the presence of minors shall be posted by the owner/operator at the entrance in lettering of at least two inches in size.
(iv) “No loitering” signs shall be posted at the front and rear of the business. In addition, a waiting area with no less than eight seats shall be provided for customers waiting to use a computer. No outside waiting or seating area is permitted.
(v) No intoxicated person shall be permitted to remain in the establishment, nor shall there be consumption of alcohol or any illegal substances in the premises.
(vi) The hours of business operation shall be between seven a.m. through twelve a.m. only. There shall be no customers or patrons in or about the premises between the hours of twelve a.m. and seven a.m., during any day of the week.
(vii) Public restroom facilities shall be provided within the establishment for customer use. There shall be separate restrooms for men and women with a minimum of one water closet in each restroom for each thirty computers.
(viii) Entrance doors shall be equipped with an automatic self-closing system.
(ix) Occupancy shall not exceed the standards of the Uniform Building Code and the Los Angeles County Fire Code, and the maximum occupancy load shall be posted at the main entrance.
(x) It will be each owner’s full responsibility to police the establishment and ensure that their personal computer arcade does not fall within the guidelines of a “sexually oriented arcade” as defined by Section 22.45.020(17) of the Cerritos Municipal Code. Should the actual use of a personal computer arcade qualify that establishment as a “sexually oriented arcade” as defined by Section 22.45.020(17) of the Cerritos Municipal Code, the conditional use permit and business license for the said establishment will be immediately revoked and the owner of the personal computer arcade would be required to meet all criteria as established by Section 22.45.020(17) of the Cerritos Municipal Code.
(xi) Visibility into and inside the establishment shall be maintained at all times. Window screens such as blinds or shades, however, may be utilized in a limited way as approved by the director of community development.
(xii) Speakers inside or outside the personal computer arcade establishment are prohibited. The walls separating the game arcade from adjoining or outside uses shall have a sound transmission class rating of fifty. All computers must be equipped with headphones and headphone use is required at all times.
(xiii) There shall be a minimum of two employees on the premises during all hours of operation, at least one of whom must be at least twenty-one years of age. If the business has more than thirty computers, the business is required to add one employee for thirty-one to sixty computers, and an additional employee for every thirty computers thereafter. If repeat criminal activity such as assaults, gang related activity, weapons offenses, disturbances, and juvenile related crime, including truancy, occur at any personal computer arcade establishment, then the owner would be required to provide a California licensed uniformed security guard(s) to be on the premises at all times the establishment is open for business.
(xiv) The owner shall provide security measures to address any public safety concerns arising from the business. Each owner shall work with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to develop a public safety plan to address issues such as the design and/or layout of the personal computer arcade, the capacity of personal computer arcade and special circumstances unique to its location such as the proximity to schools and businesses that cater to adults.
(xv) The owner shall submit and receive approval of a fire exit plan from the city’s building department and the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The plan shall address all exiting requirements of the Uniform Building Code and Los Angeles County Fire Code. This includes, but is not limited to, providing an existing plan showing equipment location, aisle locations and dimension widths, and having approved exit doors and panic hardware.
(xvi) Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of the ordinance codified in this subsection is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional by the decision of any court or competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portion of this subsection. The city council hereby declares that it would have adopted the ordinance codified in this subsection and each section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion thereof, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, subsections, phrases or portions be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
(14) Convenience Service Stations.
(a) Criteria:
(i) Feasibility of arranging ingress and egress without interference or hazard to arterial street traffic and traffic to and from adjacent uses,
(ii) No more than one other service station located within five hundred feet,
(iii) Proposed architecture and site location enhance the appearance and character of neighboring properties;
(b) Limitations:
(i) Special design standards apply. (See regulations pertaining to specific uses, Section 22.40.540).
(15) Comparable uses determined according to the provisions of Section 22.20.100. (Ord. 1039 § 9, 2023; Ord. 991 § 1, 2014; Ord. 909 § 3, 2006; Ord. 864 §§ 1, 2, 2003; Ord. 849 § 4, 2002; Ord. 827 § 10, 2001; Ord. 803 § 3, 1999; Ord. 799 § 2, 1998; Ord. 776 § 2, 1997: Ord. 737 §§ 22, 23, 24, 1994; Ord. 657 § 2, 1987; Ord. 601 § 3, 1982; Ord. 517 § 6, 1976; Ord. 514 § 3, 1976: Ord. 373 § 1 (part), 1972)
22.27.450 Temporary uses.
Refer to Section 22.20.450. (Ord. 373 § 1 (part), 1972)
22.27.500 Prohibited uses.
The following uses are prohibited in the CR zone:
(1) Automobile repair other than minor servicing at an automobile service station or brake and tire shop;
(2) Automobile sales, leasing or rental;
(3) Bars and cocktail lounges not a part of a bona fide restaurant;
(4) Contractor’s yard;
(5) Heavy equipment sales or lease;
(6) Agricultural or industrial equipment sales;
(7) Comparable uses as determined according to the provisions of Section 22.20.100. (Ord. 704 § 1, 1991: Ord. 676 § 2, 1988; Ord. 373 § 1 (part), 1972)
22.27.600 Intensity standards.
On any parcel of land or unit of development the following intensity standards shall apply:
(1) Building Coverage. The percentage of building coverage to parcel area shall be no greater than fifty percent;
(2) Floor Area Ratio. The percentage of floor area to parcel area shall be no greater than two hundred percent. (Ord. 373 § 1 (part), 1972)
22.27.700 Site development standards.
In addition to the development standards established by and under Chapter 22.70 of this code, the following standards shall apply to property in the CR zone:
(1) Front Setback: There shall be a minimum front yard setback of twenty-five feet across the full street frontage of a site, or as determined in Table 22.27.700, whichever is greater, and the majority of the required front yard area shall be landscaped.
(2) Side and Rear Setbacks.
(a) From Adjoining Property. Abutting a residential area there shall be side and rear yard setbacks of at least twenty-four feet, or as determined in Table 22.27.700, whichever is greater. Abutting a nonresidential parcel, there shall be a setback of at least twelve feet, except that a building may be constructed on a property line; provided, however, that the buildings on both sides of the property line are separated by at least twenty-four feet, and that a plan for development is approved by the city council so as to enhance the design of the development. The approving authority may reduce the required setback along a property line separating adjacent parcels in separate ownership if such parcels are included within a unified precise plan of development and have the same land use designation;
(b) From a Street. Side and rear setbacks on a property line adjacent to a street shall be at least twenty-five feet, or as determined in Table 22.27.700, whichever is greater.
(3) Building Height. Maximum building height shall be one hundred thirty feet or ten stories, whichever is less. The building height shall determine the required setback from residential zones and the street frontage property line(s) as indicated in Table 22.27.700 of this section. No building shall provide visual access into an adjacent residential yard.
(4) Storage. Except in instances where specifically permitted and controlled under the provisions of this code, open storage of equipment and materials is prohibited.
(5) Landscaping. At least fifteen percent of the area not covered by buildings shall be landscaped. The landscaping of parking areas as required in Section 22.74.400 shall be included as a part of the required fifteen percent landscaping.
(6) Signs. The provisions of Chapter 22.48 shall apply in the CR zone.
(7) Access for the Physically Handicapped. Access must be provided for the physically handicapped to floors other than that closest to grade in office buildings by means of an elevator. Access to office uses on floors other than that closest to grade may be by stairs; provided, that the offices are less than one thousand square feet in total area per floor or that the office uses are incidental to and operated in conjunction with another use (i.e., warehousing, manufacturing, retail sales) within the same building except when the only available toilet facilities are on other levels.
(8) Alarm Systems and Additional Security Devices. Commercial, office, and industrial buildings shall be required to be installed with periphery alarm system wiring approved by the director of community development. In those instances where the proposed use of the property may require additional security devices, then the director of community development may require, in addition to the periphery system wiring, the installation of an approved alarm system device.
(9) Off-Street Parking. Shopping centers with not more than one hundred thousand square feet of gross floor area shall be subject to off-street parking requirements for commercial uses as set forth in Chapter 22.74. Shopping centers with more than one hundred thousand square feet of gross floor area shall be subject to the following off-street parking requirements:
(a) Five car spaces shall be provided for each one thousand square feet for the first one hundred thousand square feet of gross floor area;
(b) Four and three-quarters car spaces shall be provided for each one thousand square feet of gross floor area for additional square footage above one hundred thousand square feet up to five hundred thousand square feet;
(c) Four and one-half car spaces shall be provided for each one thousand square feet of gross floor area exceeding five hundred thousand square feet. (Ord. 944 § 1, 2008; Ord. 912 § 30, 2006; Ord. 657 §§ 3, 4, 1987: Ord. 517 § 7, 1976; Ord. 373 § 1 (part), 1972)
|
Building Height |
Required Setback from Adjacent Residential |
Portion of Adjacent R.O.W. Which Can Be Used as Part of Required Setback from Residential |
Setback from Street Frontage Property Line |
|---|---|---|---|
|
35 feet or less |
1 foot horizontal for each ft. of building height |
One-half of the straight line distance across the right-of-way |
.6 ft. horizontal for each ft. of building right-of-way—25 foot minimum |
|
36 to 50 feet |
1.5 ft. horizontal for each ft. of building height |
One-half of the straight line distance across the right-of-way |
.6 ft. horizontal for each ft. of building height—25 foot minimum |
|
51 to 80 feet |
2.5 ft. horizontal for each ft. of building height |
One-half of the straight line distance across the right-of-way |
.7 ft. horizontal for each ft. of building height |
|
81 to 130 feet |
3.25 ft. horizontal for each ft. of building height |
One-half of the straight line distance across the right-of-way |
.8 ft. horizontal for each ft. of building height |
22.27.800 Environmental performance standards.
The environmental performance standards established under Chapter 22.80 shall apply in the CR zone. (Ord. 373 § 1 (part), 1972)