Chapter 22.61
ADP-5.1 CERRITOS AUTO SQUARE OVERLAY ZONE
Sections:
22.61.030 Description of the overlay zone and vicinity.
22.61.110 Site development standards.
22.61.120 Environmental performance standards.
22.61.130 Art in public places.
22.61.010 Location.
Area development plan 5.1 (ADP-5.1) Cerritos Auto Square overlay zone applies to the area located on the east and west sides of Studebaker Road, generally bounded on the north by Artesia Boulevard and on the south by the San Gabriel Freeway (I-605). This overlay zone excludes three parcels located south of Artesia Boulevard, east of Studebaker Road, and north of the Los Angeles County metropolitan transportation authority (LACMTA) right-of-way, currently developed with industrial commercial uses. In addition, one parcel located on the southeast portion of this overlay zone, currently developed as a regional commercial shopping center, is excluded. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.020 Purpose and intent.
The purpose and intent of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone is to permit and encourage the orderly expansion of the Cerritos Auto Square and associated uses, along Studebaker Road, north of the San Gabriel Freeway (I-605). It is further intended that the ADP-5.1 overlay zone will provide a mixture of office, industrial, and auto retail sales facilities/dealerships and related uses, while protecting existing uses, ensuring the coordinated development of the area, and expanding the long range and on-going source of employment and tax revenue that currently exists within the Cerritos Auto Square. All properties located within the boundaries of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone shall continue to be subject to the uses, standards, and regulations of the underlying zone, but are eligible to be subject to the uses, standards, and regulations of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone, as described in Section 22.61.040, upon application and approval of the ADP-5.1 overlay zoning designation. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.030 Description of the overlay zone and vicinity.
The ADP-5.1 overlay zone has two street frontages: Studebaker Road, which is a major north-south arterial street measuring approximately one hundred feet wide; and Artesia Boulevard, which is a major east-west arterial street measuring approximately one hundred feet wide. The overlay zone frontage on the east side of Studebaker Road is approximately six hundred thirty-five lineal feet, and on the west side of Studebaker Road is approximately one thousand four hundred lineal feet, respectively, both of which are improved to their ultimate rights-of-way. The ADP-5.1 overlay zone covers approximately 9.6 acres in size. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.040 Eligibility.
All properties located within the boundaries of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone shall be eligible to receive the ADP-5.1 overlay zoning designation. However, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any property located within the boundaries of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone until an application for a development map amendment, conditional use permit, and precise plan is submitted to and approved by the city, pursuant to Chapters 22.90 and 23.90. The provisions of this chapter shall replace the provisions applicable to the underlying zone, to the extent that such provisions of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone are inconsistent with any underlying zoning provisions. Unless an application is approved for the ADP-5.1 overlay zoning designation on a property, all existing provisions applicable to the underlying zone shall remain in full force and effect. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.050 Definitions.
Unless the context otherwise requires, words and phrases used in this chapter shall have the same meanings as when used in the city development code. In addition, the following definition shall apply:
(1) “Pre-owned low mileage luxury vehicles” shall mean and refer to pre-owned vehicles that (i) are less than six years old, and (ii) either (a) one of the following luxury brands: Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Jaguar, Range Rover, Maserati, Porsche, Tesla, Audi, Lexus or Infiniti, or another brand approved by the city, acting in its sole discretion, as a qualifying luxury brand, or (b) had a documented manufacturer’s suggested retail price at the time of initial sale of not less than the “required minimum price.” The “required minimum price” shall refer to an amount equal to at least fifty thousand dollars; provided, that such minimum amount shall be increased on the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the ordinance codified in this chapter and every five years thereafter by the percentage increase in the consumer price index (CPI) over the prior five-year period. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.060 Area map.
The document entitled “Area Map/Area Development Plan 5.1 (ADP-5.1) Cerritos Auto Square Overlay Zone” is adopted as a part of the area development plan overlay zone and is attached to the ordinance codified in this chapter. This map shows the boundaries of the overlay zone development area and other development conditions. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.070 Use approvals.
The land uses provided for in the ADP-5.1 overlay zone are permitted only when approved as conditional uses and only if it is found in each case that the purpose and intent of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone will be accomplished. At the time a precise plan is being considered by the city, specific conditions may be attached to the approval of any land use to assure that the intent of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone will be achieved. A precise plan shall be approved only if the intent and requirements of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone are satisfied. The criteria for use approval shall include the following:
(1) The general requirements for a conditional use permit as provided in Section 23.10.210 are satisfied;
(2) The criteria, standards, requirements, and limitations provided for in the ADP-5.1 overlay zone are satisfied;
(3) The use conforms to the intent of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone and that no detrimental effect or nuisance will be created;
(4) Suitable evidence shall be provided that no significant negative environmental effects shall be caused by reason of odor, noise, glare, vibration, fumes, smoke, particulate matter, or refuse matter and that no unsafe or dangerous conditions are to be created such as the use or storage of explosives, radioactive materials, or other similarly hazardous materials;
(5) The use will be functionally located and integrated with other related uses;
(6) The site plan and activities relating to the use are so designed as to adequately and safely provide pedestrian access, vehicular access, parking, utilities and other public and private required service, ensuring that innovative and unique feasible solutions are considered and incorporated in the overall plan;
(7) The standards, guidelines, requirements, provisions and conditions as may be required by the planning commission, city council or any other agency which may have jurisdiction over the development of a particular property are satisfied. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.080 Permitted uses.
The following uses may be permitted as principal uses, subject to the criteria and limitations of Section 22.61.070 and other conditions the planning commission and/or city council deem necessary to realize the intent of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone:
(1) Retail sales facilities and/or dealerships providing for the sale of new vehicles or pre-owned low mileage luxury vehicles.
(2) Retail sales facilities and/or dealerships providing for the sale of new motor homes, mini-motor homes, campers, and other recreational vehicles.
(3) Retail sales facilities and/or dealerships providing for the sale of new motorboats, sailboats, and other water-oriented recreational vehicles.
(4) Retail sales facilities and/or dealerships providing for the sale of new motorcycles, mini-bikes, trail bikes, and other two-wheel and three-wheel recreational vehicles.
(5) Comparable uses, as determined according to the provisions of Section 22.20.100. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.090 Accessory uses.
The following uses may be permitted as accessory uses in conjunction with and as a secondary activity to an approved principal permitted use, subject to the criteria and limitations of Section 22.61.070 and other conditions the planning commission and/or city council deem necessary to realize the intent of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone:
(1) Office uses supporting Cerritos Auto Square related activities;
(2) Storage of automobiles and other vehicles to be made available for sale;
(3) Auto renting and leasing;
(4) Auto repair;
(5) Sale of pre-owned vehicles, except when associated with a pre-owned low mileage luxury vehicle dealership or retail sales facility; and
(6) Sale of vehicle parts and equipment. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.100 Prohibited uses.
All uses are prohibited unless provided for and authorized under this chapter. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.110 Site development standards.
Upon submission of an application for the ADP-5.1 overlay zoning designation to a property, the site development standards applicable to the underlying zone shall apply to new and existing buildings. In the event of a conflict between the site development standards applicable to the underlying zone and the site development standards provided herein, the development standards of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone shall apply. At the time the precise plan is considered, the planning commission may authorize minor variations to the development standards set forth herein, when the modifications provide for more desirable development in keeping with the purpose and intent of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone. After a precise plan has been approved, the department of community development may approve minor changes to the precise plan; provided, that such changes do not substantially vary from the previously approved precise plan and conform to the purpose and intent of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone.
In addition to the development standards applicable to the underlying zone, the following standards shall apply to auto retail sales facilities/dealerships and related uses proceeding under the overlay zone:
(1) Parcel Area. The minimum parcel area shall be two and one-half acres. A parcel area smaller than as set forth in this section may be considered if the configuration of said parcel requires variation from this standard, if the site design of the development will be compatible with the surrounding properties, and if the proposed use and development are directly associated with an existing dealership franchise within the Cerritos Auto Square.
(2) Building Coverage. Building coverage shall be no more than fifty percent coverage of the net land area. If there is an existing building on the parcel and the building coverage exceeds the maximum building coverage of fifty percent, the building coverage may be increased, but shall not exceed sixty-five percent.
(3) Building Height.
(a) West of Studebaker Road. On any parcel of land located within the boundaries of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone, west of Studebaker Road, where the primary use will be an auto retail sales facility/dealership and where the display or storage of vehicles to be sold will be contained within a parking structure, said parking structure shall not exceed a height of five stories or seventy feet, whichever is lower. For all other permitted primary uses, the building height applicable to the underlying zone shall apply.
(4) Building Setbacks.
(a) West of Studebaker Road—Adjacent to Studebaker Road and Artesia Boulevard. On any parcel of land located within the boundaries of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone, west of Studebaker Road, where the primary use will be an auto retail sales facility/dealership, buildings or portions of buildings shall have a minimum setback of twenty-five feet as measured from the face of the street curb.
(b) West of Studebaker Road—All Other Building Elevations/Facades. On any parcel of land located within the boundaries of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone, west of Studebaker Road, where the primary use will be an auto retail sales facility/dealership, a zero lot line setback may be permitted; provided, that the building footprint and facade design contain offsets for open areas to be developed with landscaping and/or parking. A minimum distance of twenty-five feet shall be maintained between structures on adjacent parcels.
(c) East of Studebaker Road. On any parcel of land located within the boundaries of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone, east of Studebaker Road, the building setback applicable to the underlying zone shall apply.
(5) Architectural Design Standards. The following standards shall constitute the design standards of the ADP-5.1 overlay zone for auto retail sales facilities and/or dealerships:
(a) All buildings and structures located on a parcel of land shall adhere to a unified architectural design theme. Such theme shall integrate mass, height, materials, colors, textures and character for the purpose of maintaining a consistent scheme throughout the parcel.
(b) The use of subdued colors is encouraged, while brighter colors may be used for accents.
(c) A minimum of forty percent of the combined area of all building elevations, excluding showroom display windows, shall be faced with enhanced materials including, but not limited to, brick, natural stone (granite, limestone, marble, sandstone, etc.), decorative metal siding (titanium, alucabond, metal with enhanced finish or chemical treatment, etc., but excluding corrugated metal) and/or other enhanced materials deemed comparable by the department of community development.
(d) All buildings shall exhibit four-sided architecture, by which enhanced architectural detailing, building projections, and offsets are incorporated on all building elevations in order to create visual interest and depth. Design elements shall be creatively repeated on all building elevations in order to foster a unified architectural motif on the building or buildings.
(e) Special attention shall be given to the appearance of building elevations that immediately face the I-605 freeway, including accessory building elevations, to ensure that said building elevations are visually treated as part of the uniform design, drawing design elements from the arterial street facade. No storage of parts or equipment shall be visible from the freeway.
(f) Specific areas shall be designated on the building elevations for business identification signs to ensure compatibility and integration between the sign locations and the architectural design. The provisions of Chapter 22.48 shall apply to all signs.
(g) Architectural accent lighting shall be incorporated to further enhance the building elevations, while maintaining the standards set forth in subsection (7) of this section.
(h) Parking structures or parking garages shall have vehicle access ramps fully contained within the structure so as to not be visible from the exterior. Vertical landscape screens, louvers, and/or other opaque design elements shall be incorporated to effectively shield stored vehicles from view, except for strategically placed vehicle display areas integrated into the design of the parking structure.
(i) Outdoor canopies and shade structures shall be designed to complement the dealership campus architectural design theme. Collapsible canopies as defined in Chapter 20.30 shall be prohibited.
(j) All aspects of design, material and color shall be subject to precise plan approval to ensure that the general design of the entire parcel conforms to the purpose and intent of the overlay zone.
(k) Views shall be exploited while protecting the privacy of existing and proposed land uses.
(l) Provided that the design standards are met, architectural designs and/or design elements prescribed by automotive corporations may be permitted in order to allow for individual branding, subject to city approval.
(6) Windows and Doors.
(a) Dark nonreflecting glass shall be required for all exterior windows and door surfaces, excluding windows and doors required for normal vehicle display purposes. Mirrored or reflecting surfaces shall be prohibited.
(7) Lighting.
(a) Lighting shall be designed to provide safety and security, and shall serve to unify and enhance the general appearance of the parcel area.
(b) The installation of a specific style or type of lighting fixture shall be required to create harmony and compatibility of architectural elements within the overlay zone.
(c) Accent lighting shall be designed and incorporated to showcase key architectural features of the buildings and key elements of the landscaping and shall be subject to the approval of the department of community development.
(d) No light shall direct or deflect glare to streets, freeways or adjacent uses. Special attention shall be provided to ensure that illumination shall not have a negative environmental impact on the land uses surrounding the overlay zone area. This shall include light fixtures located on all levels of parking structures.
(8) Landscaping.
(a) A minimum of fifteen percent of the area not occupied by buildings or structures shall be landscaped if deemed feasible by the department of community development. Landscaped areas located between a parking area or driveway and a street right-of-way shall include earth mounding two to three feet above the curb height, with a variegated grouping pattern of trees, shrubs, and ground cover. Specific tree and plant species shall be subject to the approval of the department of community development. Such parking and driveway areas shall be screened by groupings of trees and shrubs in accordance with development standards established in Chapter 22.70.
(b) Special attention shall be given to the landscape design in areas facing the I-605 freeway. Where there is not sufficient room to provide landscape planters for shrubs and trees, vertical landscape elements such as espaliers, creeping vines, and landscape screens shall be encouraged in order to enhance and soften the parcel along the freeway frontage.
(c) Individual vehicle display areas may be allowed within the landscaped area; provided, that vehicle display areas shall not be permitted to displace any landscaping rendering the total parcel area landscaping less than the minimum fifteen percent of the area not occupied by buildings or structures.
(9) Parking.
(a) In addition to the parking space and improvement requirements of Chapter 22.74, the department of community development may require additional parking spaces and improvements so as to enhance the design of the development and to provide a harmonious circulation scheme between adjacent properties.
(b) Adequate off-street parking shall be provided to accommodate all parking needs for employees, visitors, demonstration, rental, service, display and storage vehicles on the site or other sites approved by the city council. Employee parking shall be prohibited on adjacent properties.
(c) The number of display, new and pre-owned car storage, and service or repair storage parking spaces shall be determined by the department of community development, and may be in accordance with the “Space Guide and Facility Recommendations” as published by the manufacturer and established for the specific make of car authorized to occupy the automobile facility. Said parking guide shall be submitted to the department of community development as an attachment to the precise plan and shall be certified to be the most recent copy of said parking standards. The required number of parking spaces shall be determined by the guides established parking requirements for the anticipated annual sales potential plus one-half of those planned potential requirements.
(10) Storage of Vehicles.
(a) Storage of vehicles other than those specifically determined to be required for display purposes or those contained within parking structures shall be screened through the design of enclosures consisting of decorative split face or slump stone walls, landscaping, and/or earth mounds.
(b) Vehicle storage areas, including those in parking structures, shall be maintained in a safe and nonhazardous condition and shall provide equipment and/or facilities for fire protection and security during operating and non-operating time periods.
(11) Service Facilities.
(a) Open service bays and repair areas associated with automobile service facilities permitted as an accessory use under Section 22.61.090 shall not be visible from any freeway, public street, or pedestrian walkway.
(12) Loading and Unloading.
(a) Loading and unloading of vehicles shall be prohibited on arterial and internal streets of the overlay zone area.
(13) Test Driving.
(a) Test-driving vehicles in residential neighborhoods or on adjacent properties shall be prohibited. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.120 Environmental performance standards.
The environmental performance standards established under Chapter 22.80 shall apply to the ADP-5.1 overlay zone. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.130 Art in public places.
The art in public places program provisions established under Chapter 22.94 shall apply to the ADP-5.1 overlay zone. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)
22.61.140 Severability.
If any part or provision of this chapter, or any application thereof to a particular parcel, situation or owner, is held to be contrary to law by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision or application will not be deemed valid and subsisting, except to the extent permitted by law, but all other provisions or applications will continue in full force and effect. (Ord. 1014 § 2 (part), 2017)