CLOCK TOWER at Westminster Civic Center. (OC Tribune photo).

Recent meetings of the Westminster City Council have been consumed with arguments, controversy and acrimony arguably separate from the running of the municipal government.

But the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting suggests a turn toward a less contentious session. The council will consider recommendations from consultants on mixed-use planning, especially in the development of specific plans for the city’s Little Saigon, Downtown District and West Side areas.

Mixed-use planning involves combining residential with commercial and office uses in the same zone or project. 

Plans for the redevelopment of the ailing Westminster Mall already call for a mixed-use approach with housing, shops, and other uses in the center at Goldenwest Street and Bolsa Avenue.

Some rezoning has already been done for the planned “Downtown District” along Westminster Boulevard, but the coronavirus pandemic and high interest rates are believed to have stalled progress there.

The use of the mixed-use district – consultants say – would also help the city meet its Regional Housing Needs Assessment that requires Westminster to zone for 9,759 more homes by 2029.

Additionally, successful application of land use planning could help the city to “achieve financial stability,” one of the council’s strategic plan goals.

The council will meet in closed session at 4 p.m. and then the  open session at 6 p.m. in its chambers at 8200 Westminster Blvd.