WHAT NEW residential might look like in Westminster.
By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune
A team of consultants and city staff presented a proposal for a sweeping revision of zoning and land use at Wednesday’s meeting of the Westminster City Council.
The council approved a resolution on a 3-1 vote – with Councilmenber Amy Phan West voting against and NamQuan Nguyen absent – to direct city staff to implement recommendations that include expanding the areas of the city to be devoted to mixed-use development and updating the city’s zoning documents, which are said to be “outdated.”
The council must give final approval; the process could take up to 24 months.
Among the other proposals is to increase the permitted density of housing units allowed to 90 per acre.
“I think this will take the city to the next level,” said Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen.
Much of the recommendations involve the role of mixed-use zoning to spur economic growth in a city where the government is struggling financially because of low property tax income and the sharp decline of the Westminster Mall, which once provided major sales tax support for public services.
There is also a need to meet the city’s Regional Housing Needs Assessment to plan for more housing, as required by the state.
West cast her vote in opposition because she wanted input from members of the community – especially homeowners – before the staff began making plans to change the codes and densities, and not after.
“You’re putting the cart before the horse,” she said.
