Resolution No. 25.54 Page 1 of 3
RESOLUTION NO. 25-54
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK
SETTING FORTH ITS FINDINGS OF FACT AND DECISION OF
UPHOLDING AN APPEAL REQUEST FILED BY ADAMS BROADWELL
JOSEPH AND CARDOZO ON BEHALF OF COALITION FOR
RESPONSIBLE EQUITABLE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND
DENYING THE PLANNING COMMISSION’S DECISION TO ADOPT THE
RECIRCULATED INITIAL STUDY/MITIGATED NEGATIVE
DECLARATION (STATE CLEARINGHOUSE NO. 2024101066) AND
MITIGATION MONITORING AND REPORTING PLAN AND APPROVAL
OF PRECISE DEVELOPMENT PLAN NO. 2023-06 AT 14830
CARMENITA ROAD
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission Planning Commission received Precise Development Plan (PDP) No. 2023-06, a request from Ben Martin on behalf of Rexford Industrial Realty LP to demolish two existing industrial buildings totaling 89,870 square feet (SF) and construct a new 138,972± square foot industrial warehouse building along with related site and landscaping improvements (Proposed Project) on a property that is
7.03 acres in size at 14830 Carmenita Road (Subject Property); also known as Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) 8069-002-085; and
WHEREAS, the subject site is designated as Heavy Industrial by the City’s General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the subject site is currently located within the zoning classification of Heavy Manufacturing (M-2); and
WHEREAS, the purpose and intent of a Precise Development Plan (PDP) is to ensure that new development will be aesthetically and functionally compatible with the existing and future land uses on adjacent and surrounding properties; and WHEREAS, Section 17.02.205.D.1 (Precise Development Plans, Standards and Review Criteria) of the Norwalk Municipal Code (NMC) states that the Community Development Director may at their discretion refer any request to the Planning Commission for review; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an Initial Study (IS) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) (State Clearinghouse No. 2024101066) was prepared for the Proposed Project, and it was determined that with the imposition of Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Plan (MMRP), there is no substantial evidence that the project will have a significant effect on the environment; and WHEREAS, PDP No. 2023-06 was reviewed by the Planning Commission on October 8, 2025, at a duly noticed public hearing, at which time oral and documentary evidence relative to the application were received; and Attachment No. 1
Resolution No. 25.54 Page 2 of 3
WHEREAS, after public testimony and input, the Planning Commission adopted the recirculated MND and MMRP, and adopted Resolution No. 25-13, approving PDP No. 2023-06 with conditions of approval and the MMRP with a 5 to 0 vote; and WHEREAS, on October 17, 2025, Alaura McGuire from Adams Broadwell Joseph & Cardozo, on behalf of the Coalition for Responsible Equitable Economic Development (CREED LA), submitted an appeal of the Planning Commission’s (1) adoption of the recirculated IS/MND and MMRP; and (2) adoption of Resolution No. 25-13, approving Precise Development Plan (PDP) No. 2023-06 with conditions of approval and MMR’s action approving the project; and
WHEREAS, on November 18, 2025, the appeal was reviewed by the City Council at a duly noticed public hearing, at which time oral and documentary evidence relative to the application was received and the City Council voted 4-1 to approve the appeal request and directed staff to return with a resolution to uphold the appeal; and WHEREAS, on December 2, 2025, at a duly noticed public hearing, the City Council considered additional oral and documentary evidence relative to the application was received and the City Council voted _______ to approve the appeal and deny PDP No. 2023-06; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 17.02.205.E (Decision, Transmittal, Appeal) of the NMC, the action of the City Council shall be final.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NORWALK HEREBY DETERMINES, FINDS, AND RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.The City Council of the City of Norwalk, State of California, does hereby deny PDP No. 2023-06 without prejudice.
Section 2. That the City Council’s denial of PDP No. 2023-06 is exempt from review under CEQA, Section 15270, which states, “CEQA does not apply to projects to which a public agency rejects or disapproves”.
Section 3. The City Council finds that PDP No. 2023-06 is inconsistent with the General Plan Land Use element objective in that the proposed project would not prevent industrial land uses from generating adverse impacts on adjacent land uses.
Section 4. The development is inconsistent with the NMC in that the project will be detrimental to the public health, safety, and welfare of the surrounding areas. Based upon testimony received at the public hearing, the Proposed Project is not consistent with the character of the community. Potential environmental and traffic impacts generated by the project will not be compatible with residential uses within close proximity to the Subject Property. The construction of a new warehouse building could potentially increase traffic flow along a congested intersection. In addition, a Level of Service Screening Analysis and Vehicle Miles Traveled Screening Analysis were conducted to determine whether Resolution No. 25.54 Page 3 of 3
such traffic studies would be require for the development. Since the City of Norwalk has not formally adopted Traffic Impact Analysis guidelines and Vehicle Miles Traveled guidelines, the County of Los Angeles Traffic Impact Analysis Guidelines were used to assess the project and determined that no further analysis would be required. However, the increase in trips generated compared to that of the existing site will adversely affect public welfare.
Section 5.The Mayor, or presiding officer, is hereby authorized to affix his signature to this Resolution signifying its adoption by the City Council of the City of Norwalk and the City Clerk, or her duly appointed assistant, is directed to attest thereto.
APPROVED AND ADOPTED on this 2nd day of December 2025.
______________________________
TONY AYALA
MAYOR
ATTEST:
_________________________________
THERESA DEVOY, CMC
CITY CLERK