A 65-UNIT affordable housing project was approved by the Westminster City Council on Tuesday night.

In another step toward introducing mixed-use development in the central part of the community, the Westminster City Council on Tuesday night approved a project calling for the construction of 65 new affordable apartments and associated uses.

The council voted 4-0 in favor of the Westminster Crossing building at 7122-7140 Westminster Blvd. at Locust Street, west of Goldenwest Street. Councilwoman Kimberly Ho recused herself from voting because she owns property within 500 feet of the site.

The tenants would be from working families and very low income residents. Rents will range from $575 to $1700 a month.

The three-story building – to be built on a two-acre site and operated by Meta Housing Corporation – with have non-residential units on the first floor facing Westminster Boulevard such as the entrance and lobby, offices, conference rooms, community rooms, a fitness/exercise studio and an artist studio.

Currently, the land is occupied by a Seventies-era furniture store.

THE WESTMINSTER CROSSING proposal.

Two residents spoke against the project, expressing concerns about traffic and parking issues. Ways suggested by speakers to mitigate worries about speeding included adding stop signs and speed bumps on certain neighborhood streets.

Also on Tuesday night, Sylvia Mendez – the civil rights pioneer whose name is on the Mendez v. Westminster school desegregation case – presented the council with a check for $50,000 toward creation of a monument and memorial  at a planned pocket park at Westminster Boulevard and Olive Street commemorating the landmark legal action.

“I’d like to ask everyone to continue to help us,” she said. “We are fund-raising because we need much more money.”

The next meeting of the city council is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 27.