Townhouse development OK'd in Cerritos

CERRITOS - The Cerritos City Council recently approved a proposal by The Olson Company to develop a 25-unit residential townhouse condominium complex located at 18810 Pioneer Boulevard.

The Olson Company will demolish two existing vacant commercial buildings at the site to construct a three-story townhouse condominium complex comprised of five buildings.

Plans call for a Spanish/Californian architectural style and lush landscaping, city officials said. The project will incorporate decorative stone veneer on approximately 33 percent of the exterior elevations.

The townhouse condominium complex will include six, 1,192-square-foot units with two bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths. An additional 19 units will be 1,711 square feet with three to four bedrooms and three-and-a-half baths.

Bench and picnic seating, enhanced barbecue units and decorative walkways will be installed throughout the complex.

Each home will have direct, private access from two-car garages. The site will have an additional 10 parking spaces for guests.

A community facilities district will be formed to offset the cost of added demand on city services resulting from the project, officials said.

Demolition of the vacant buildings is expected to begin this month. A model unit is planned to be opened in summer 2014 and new homeowners are expected to start moving in by the end of 2014.

The City Council also approved a change in the zone classification of the project's location from Community Commercial to Area Development Plan 17, allowing for residential development.

*A proposal by Cerritos RP, LLC to convert and subdivide an existing commercial office development into 36 commercial office condominium units was recently approved by the Cerritos City Council.

The existing development, Villa Grande, is located at 17100 and 17150 Norwalk Boulevard. The project will also include remodeling the buildings' exteriors, establishing a master sign program and refurbishing existing landscaping.

The remodeled buildings will have a California Contemporary architectural design. The master sign program specifies the size, materials and location of business identification signs.

Construction of the project is expected to begin in the spring of 2014 and to be completed by the end of 2014.

*The Cerritos City Council recently awarded a contract for street sweeping services to Athens Services. The contract took effect on Oct. 28 and includes street sweeping services covering all dedicated streets, alleys and city-owned parking lots within the city of Cerritos.

Total annual cost of the Athens Services street sweeping contract is $409,737. The city received four proposals for street sweeping services ranging in amounts from $409,737 to $576,758. The new contract will save the city $110,000 per year.

The agreement runs through Dec. 31, 2017, and provides for all labor, equipment, tools, fuel, material, insurance, supervision, waste recycling/disposal and all other items incidental to performing the required street sweeping services in Cerritos.

No changes were made to the street sweeping schedule, although the actual time street sweeping takes place may have been adjusted slightly. Street parking in Cerritos is prohibited during specified days and times designated for street sweeping.

Street sweeping days in Cerritos are scheduled weekly on the day after trash is collected. Signs indicating the restricted day and four-hour time period of prohibited parking are posted at the entrances to each residential housing tract.

Violators of the ordinance will be subject to a $25 ticket for each offense. The restriction will not be enforced during weeks when there is an official holiday and City Hall is closed.

*The Cerritos City Council recently awarded a $226,850 contract to Sequel Contractors, Inc. for the construction of street improvements on Artesia Boulevard, Palo Verde Avenue and College Place.

The project includes the rehabilitation of slurry seal on Artesia Boulevard from Gridley Road to Palo Verde Avenue and on Palo Verde Avenue from 183rd Street to Artesia Boulevard.

The College Place project includes pavement rehabilitation, removal and reconstruction of two wheelchair ramps and replacement of deficient sidewalks, curbs and gutters. Wheelchair ramps will be constructed per the most recent Americans with Disabilities Act design guidelines.

Construction of the street improvements began in November and is expected to be completed in early December.

*The Cerritos City Council recently awarded a contract for citywide sidewalk, curb and gutter repairs and the construction of wheelchair accessible ramps to C.J. Concrete Construction.

The contract is for improvements in the amount of $180,000.

The project includes the removal and replacement of miscellaneous deteriorated concrete, asphalt pavement and other work elements in the public right of way on an "on call" basis.

C.J. Concrete Construction will complete the actual work quantities as directed by city staff during the term of the contract using the unit prices submitted in the company's bid.

The contract term is for one year with a provision for up to four one-year extensions.

********** Published: Dec. 5, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 34