Cerritos : 7th Floor OKd for Building

The City Council has approved a Beverly Hills developer’s request to add a seventh story to a proposed office building at the northeast corner of Bloomfield Avenue and Artesia Boulevard in Cerritos. A second level of underground parking also will be added, according to the developer, Jovet Inc.

The council voted 4-0 to approve the seventh story addition, with Councilwoman Diana Needham abstaining to avoid what she said might be a conflict of interest. Last summer, Needham and the council amended the city’s general plan to allow Jovet to erect a six-story building on the site with one level of underground parking. Construction of the building, which will be the second tallest in Cerritos, could begin this summer.

The council has been criticized for approving the project and for accepting political contributions from Jovet owner Joseph Dabby. Dabby contributed $3,000 to the council’s effort to defeat Proposition H, a November ballot measure that was overwhelmingly approved by voters. It prohibits council members from serving more than two consecutive four-year terms.