CLOCK TOWER at Westminster Civic Center. The English Tudor theme comes from the naming of the city (OC Tribune photo).

By a staff writer

An ordinance increasing the density of some mixed-use zones, along with raising permitted building heights was approved by the Westminster City Council on Tuesday night.

The vote was 4-0-1 with Councilmember Amy Phan West abstaining.

Westminster is moving toward more mixed-use zoning across the city including the former Westminster Mall (now being re-created as Bolsa Pacific), establishing a downtown and in the Little Saigon area.

Also on Wednesday, the council took up consideration of a request from the VHV Foundation for the use of the Miriam Warne Community Center for a Little Saigon Community Cultural Center.

Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen introduced the item as a way to use an underutilized building – located at 14491Beach Blvd. — to serve a population that is more than 50 percent of the city.
Councilmember Carlos Manzo raised some concerns, including the building’s location outside the Little Saigon area on Bolsa Avenue.

Manzo and West found themselves unlikely allies, as they both supported a motion to take no action on the proposal, but it was voted down 3-2 .

Finally, the council approved a motion ask thecity staff to negotiate with the VHV about a possible agreement on a 3-2 vote with Manzo and West opposed.