1. Downtown Plan for Westminster, CA
California State Polytechnic University Pomona
College of Environmental Design
By: Elaine Dulay -Steve Garcia -Danica Garva -Daniel Guerra -Jacob Huber
Mark Jimmerson -Kevin Kohan -Krystal Marquez -Narineh Shahinian -TJ Suwanswetr
Instructor: Richard Zimmer

2. Acknowledgements
We would like to express gratitude toward the following individuals from the City of
Westminster for taking the time to review our downtown plan and providing us with
constructive feedback.
• Don Lamm, City Manager
• Doug McIsaac, Community Development Director
• Art Bashmakian AICP, Planning Manager
• Chet Simmons, Economic Development
• Steve Ratkay AICP, Associate Planner
2

3. CONTENTS
1. Vision
2. Background
2.1. Demographics to be Served
2.2. Boundaries of Sigler Village
3. Sigler Park
3.1. Current Features
3.2. Current Events &Opportunities
3.3. New Design
4. Land Use
4.1. Current Land Use
4.2. Envisioned Land Use
5. Identity Elements
5.1. Landscaping
5.2. Sidewalks
5.3. Signage
5.4. Building Design
5.5. Streetscape
5.6. Public Space
6. Circulation
6.1. Public Transit
6.2. Private Automobile
6.3. Pedestrians
7. Implementation Strategies
7.1. Incentives for Homeowners
7.2. Incentives for Business Owners
8. Conclusion
Appendix
A.1 .Cities Referenced
A.2. Housing Styles
A.3. Churches
A.4. Events
A.5. City History
A.6. City Demographics
A.7. Businesses within the District
A.8. Figure Citations
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4. CHAPTER ONE
VISION
4

5. Imagine a place where you can let your dog play freely, have dinner at your
favorite restaurant, and watch a movie under the stars, all within a walkable area. A
place where your parking spot for home and work are the same space. A place called
Sigler Village. Sigler Village will bring out the natural environment of Sigler Park into the
commercial and residential area to create a welcoming and relaxing ambiance for
residents and visitors alike.
Our vision for Westminster is to provide the city with a gathering space that is
both unique and stands apart from Little Saigon and the Civic Center. In contrast to
other neighborhoods in the city, Sigler Village will provide the perfect blend of
commercial and recreational activities for everyone in the community. The mixed uses
of this area will create unique opportunities for business owners and residents that are
unmatched anywhere else in the city. The influx of visitors to the neighborhood will
allow existing businesses to thrive, while creating new economic opportunities.
Current and future residents of the downtown will be living an ideal lifestyle that
many cities do not offer. They will be able to work, shop, dine, and play all within
footsteps of their homes. With Sigler Park as the heart of the downtown, groups of all
ages and backgrounds will have a beautiful, welcoming space to meet and mingle. The
evolutionary process of combining different land uses, people, and opportunities in
Sigler Village will give the neighborhood a distinct identity that the whole city will be
proud of. On the following page is an overview map of Sigler Village showing the
location of improvements.
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6. 6
Figure 1.1: Overview map of Sigler Village

7. CHAPTER
CHAPTER TWO
BACKGROUND
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8. 2.1. Demographics to be Served
Westminster thrives with its rich culture and history that is unmatched in
Orange Country. More notably, its share of social conflicts, which include the birthplace
of what would eventually lead to Brown v. Board of Education, and the struggle of the
Vietnamese community. More recently, with the influx of a growing Latino population,
Westminster has grown to become a diverse and proud community.
2.2. Boundaries of Sigler Village
Given the initial limitations for the new downtown (with a suggestion for using
the Goldenwest/Westminster intersection), we chose to focus our plans around Sigler
Park. With existing facilities, services, and community activities already located at Sigler
Park, this makes it an ideal location to start the evolutionary process for creating the
vision of Sigler Village. The area around the park was chosen because it is less than a ½-
mile across, making it ideal for pedestrians to enjoy all areas of the downtown.
Northern boundary: Westminster Boulevard
Though Westminster Boulevard is a high-traffic area, its existing conditions allow
for the businesses to be easily overlooked. This street presents a perfect opportunity for
revitalization because of the many underutilized lots.
Southern boundary: Main Street
Our desire to create a walkable community makes Main Street a logical
southern boundary for the downtown. Residents of the surrounding multifamily
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9. residential homes will easily be able to access the park and all other services in the
downtown.
Eastern boundary: Hoover Street
The existing train tracks and Hoover Street create a natural break and a clear
entrance for the downtown.
Western boundary: Goldenwest Street
The existing commercial center on the northwest corner of the
Goldenwest/Westminster intersection will serve as a complimentary retail center to the
downtown. The fact that Goldenwest Street is a wide, arterial street makes it difficult to
expand the downtown to the west.
Figure 2.1: Boundaries for Sigler Village
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10. CHAPTER THREE
SIGLER PARK
10

11. 3.1. Current Features
In Sigler Village, parks are not just for kids! Sigler Park is currently a destination
for community events and, as a part of the downtown; it will continue to serve a wide
range of visitors. The park is a six-acre recreational area which includes basketball
courts, two handball courts, picnic tables, restrooms, areas for children to play, and a
softball field.
Figure 3.1: Current layout of Sigler Park
In addition, Sigler Park includes a WIC Center, which is a federally funded health and
nutrition program for women, infants, and children. The photos on the next page show
the children’s playground and Splash Pad at Sigler Park.
11

12. Figure 3.2 (left): Children’s playground; Figure 3.3 (right): Splash Pad
3.2. Current Events & Opportunities
Sigler Park is a natural selection for the center of a downtown because of the
annual community events that currently take place there. The park hosts summer
concerts in the park on Thursday evenings, where the community enjoys a variety of
free concerts. Concertgoers bring picnic dinners and also enjoy the delicious food items
available through non-profit organizations. In addition, Sigler Park hosts annual events
such as Public Safety Day, which is held once every summer. This fun and educational
event provides children and their families an opportunity to become familiar with the
City's safety staff and services. In addition, Westminster Police Department and Orange
County Fire Authority display vehicles and equipment and present exciting
demonstrations.
3.3. New Design
The new design of Sigler Park will include an expansion of the park, extending to
Locust Street on the west, making it ideal for new activities. The expansion will allow for
the addition of a Vietnamese garden, dog park, community garden, and amphitheater.
12

13. Figure 3.4: New layout of Sigler Park
Entryway
A grand entryway will be erected on the north side of the park, facing Chestnut
Street, to welcome visitors. We have two options for the entryway. The entryway will be
attached to a low wall that goes along the edges of the park, with openings at different
locations. The wall will both protect children playing inside the park as well as provide a
nice sitting area.
Figure 3.5: Option #1 for Sigler Park
13

14. Figure 3.6: Option #2 for Sigler Park entryway
Restrooms
Since the park is being expanded, we
want to add new men’s and women’s
restrooms that match with the style of the
residential buildings in the downtown.
Restrooms may seem like a small addition, but
human comfort is our main goal, and clean Figure 3.7 (above): New restrooms at Sigler Park
new restrooms will be just another reason for families and other visitors to stay in the
park.
Vietnamese garden
The Vietnamese-themed garden will spark conversation and remind visitors of
the city’s rich history. The idea is to increase social interaction and recreation within the
park. It will also be an eye-catching node in the park.
14

15. Figure 3.8: Vietnamese garden at Sigler Park
Dog park
A dog park will be a well-needed feature for the many furry friends of residents.
It will also act as a great host for the city’s recurring event, “The Little Westminster Dog
Show.”
Amphitheatre
A raised amphitheatre at the park will allow for the summer outdoor movies in
Westminster to move to Sigler Park and provide entertainment in a natural
environment. The amphitheatre will also allow guests to sit back and relax while they
watch a concert or a play.
Community events
Public chalk walks and art exhibits at Sigler Park will let community members
show off their artistic side while listening to live music. During the art exhibits, children
15

16. can become a butterfly or pirate, as they get their faces painted by local artists.
Everyone will get to celebrate creativity together.
Community garden
A community garden in the park extension will enable residents to grow their
own food when they otherwise may not have had the chance.
Figure 3.9: Community garden at Sigler Park
The garden will be beneficial both physically (encouraging healthy eating habits) and
socially (encouraging interactions with other “gardeners”). Fresh produce is always in
season, and what better way to get people to work together than taking turns taking
care of a delicious assortment of fruits and vegetables? Possible sponsors could include
the local churches near Sigler Park, the local schools, private businesses, and the
Westminster recreation department.
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17. CHAPTER FOUR
LAND USE
17

18. 4.1. Current Land Use
4.1.
The existing area consists of an assorted mix of land uses, poorly-maintained
buildings, and little pedestrian activity. In its current state, the site lacks an individual
identity which separates it from the rest of the city. Currently, Sigler Park hosts many
community events, but it is lacking facilities that would utilize the full potential of the
park. The abundance of auto repair shops within the downtown boundaries makes the
area unappealing for other business owners to invest in, while residential properties in
the project area lack character and aesthetic appeal. Overall, this area is in need of a
new identity. As shown in the land use map below, the uses are separated
geographically, which does not unify the area.
Figure 4.1: Current land use for the area
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19. 4.2. ENVISIONED LAND USE
Sigler Village will be a neighborhood in which uses and activities flow effortlessly
with each other. Its mixed-use areas will enable residents to live, work, and enjoy free
time all in one place. Sigler Park will be expanded to the west to allow for more activities
that will serve the needs of the community. Rather than demolishing all of the existing
buildings and replacing them with new ones, we want to work with the existing
property owners and encourage the revitalization of the businesses as well as the
homes.
The envisioned land use is shown below. The red area is commercial use, the
blue is residential, and the yellow is mixed-use.
Figure 4.2: Envisioned land use for Sigler Village
The downtown will have a large mixed-use area, where residences will be combined
with shops and restaurants, so that services and places of recreation will be very near
the homes.
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20. CHAPTER FIVE
IDENTITY ELEMENTS
20

21. Sigler Village will be a destination for people near and far. We want the image of
Sigler Park to stay in the minds of the young and old long after they leave the
downtown. We want people to come back frequently because it sets itself apart from its
surroundings. The only way to have all of these things is to create an identity that unifies
all of the areas of the downtown.
5.1. Landscaping
Taking environmental factors into consideration, we have chosen drought-
resistant plants to beautify Sigler Village. We feel that it is important to select plants
that will compliment the area and also withstand the dry summer months.
Flowers
The flowers will be placed in planters in various areas, such as adjacent to
seating, along walls, and on sidewalks.
Figure 5.1 (left): Achillea flower; Figure 5.2 (center): Bluebeard flower;
Figure 5.3 (right): Baby’s breath flower
Trees
The existing palm trees that line Westminster Boulevard provide no shade, and
are unmaintained. The downtown will feature an eclectic assortment of trees.
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22. Figure 5.4 (left): Black Locust tree; Figure 5.5 (right): Staghorn Sumac tree
These trees will enhance the downtown’s aesthetics year-round and provide much-
needed shade for visitors exploring the downtown during hot months.
Figure 5.6: Typical view of trees across Westminster Boulevard. The trees help tie in
the natural environment of the park with the rest of the downtown.
Shade-giving trees would line the sidewalks and street medians to protect pedestrians
from sun rays as well as to enhance the image of the street.
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23. Sidewalks
Sidewalks in Sigler Village will contrast the strong colors used for the buildings.
To create unity within the downtown, the same tile pattern will be used at every
crosswalk in the district.
Signage
The downtown will have unique signage throughout the downtown designed
specifically for Sigler Village. Appropriate way-finding signage will identify specific sites
of interest and parking areas to residents and visitors as well as strengthen Sigler
Village’s image and help to create a sense of place.
• Business signs/marquees: The business owners in Sigler Village will have a variety
of sign options. This will enable businesses to distinguish themselves while
maintaining unity within the downtown. This type of signage is directed at
pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use frontages, streets and districts.
Figure 5.7: Signs extending from building
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24. Figure5.8: Extending sign and awning sign
Figure 5.9: Sign on building and hanging sign
• Gateway sign(s): One of the first things that will welcome guests to Sigler Village
will be gateway signage, which will be located at each end of our district on
Westminster Boulevard, at the Hoover Street and Goldenwest Street
intersections. These signs will become recognizable landmarks for Sigler Village.
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25. Figure 5.10: Sigler Village gateway sign
Building Design
Upon entering Sigler Village, one will not be able to help but recognize the
beautiful palette of colors and distinguishing architecture that sets apart the downtown
from the rest of the city. Playing off of some of the existing buildings in the city, the
downtown will incorporate Spanish architecture to maintain a connection to the rest of
the city. The following images show our desired color palette and architectural style.
The downtown will maintain Westminster’s small-town feel by ensuring that no building
will rise above two stories. Low building heights and eye-catching architecture will
enhance the walkability of the downtown.
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26. Figure 5.9 (top left): Color palette for commercial buildings; Figure 5.8 (top right): Spanish style
architecture; Figure 5.10 (bottom): Possible colors for entire downtown.
Figure 5.11: Potential look of various buildings in Sigler Village
The businesses along Westminster Boulevard will incorporate a variety of colors that will
compliment each other while distinguishing the area from the rest of the city.
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27. Streetscape
• Benches: Enhancing the pedestrian
experience even further, the addition
of benches placed throughout the
downtown adds an aspect of comfort
to visiting patrons. Benches within the
district will be wooden to bring out
the fundamental nature of the park.
Figure 5.11: Bench style to be used
• Trash cans: To maintain the inviting atmosphere of Sigler Village, trash cans and
recycle bins will be placed along the sidewalks to keep it clean. They will be
wooden, to match the benches, to create a unified look.
Figure 5.12 (left): Wooden trash can; Figure 5.13 (right): Wooden recycle bin
• Lighting: Sigler Village will be as enjoyable at night as it is during the day. Lighting
in the district will double as a safety feature, while creating an inviting ambiance.
There will be three types of lighting throughout the downtown
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28. • Light posts: Metal, with two lantern-style
hanging lights. Found nowhere else in the
city, these lights will easily identify Sigler
Village.
• Building lights: Buildings will have small
lights on their walls that resemble the
hanging lights on the streets. This will be to
enhance the connection between streets
with another unifying element.
• Tree lighting: Trees along Westminster
Boulevard will be wrapped with white
lights year-round. Residential streets will
not have this type of lighting, but they will
Figure 5.14: Light post
have lamp posts that are common style to be used
throughout the downtown. This is so that
Westminster Boulevard can maintain itself as the main thoroughfare for the
downtown. This eye-catching feature is very effective in distinguishing a main
corridor from other streets.
Figure 5.15: Tree lighting for Westminster Blvd.
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29. • Public Space: A small landscaped area will be created on Westminster Boulevard
that will allow for passersby to sit down and relax before they continue on with
their day. It will be a place to have a quiet lunch while people-watching. Public
art may also be displayed in this space.
Figure 5.16: Public space next to decorative wall. The wall hides the parking
structure from pedestrian view.
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30. CHAPTER SIX
CIRCULATION
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31. One of the main goals for Sigler Village is to improve accessibility within the
downtown area. Anticipating the popularity of the downtown, the vision would be to
create a space which is easily accessible by car, public transit, and by pedestrians.
6.1. Public Transit
The current public transit system which serves the downtown area will be
sufficient in addressing the future needs of riders who will visit the downtown. There
are currently two main bus routes that run through the district. The Orange County
Transportation Authority offers discounted rates for seniors and students, and this will
aid in encouraging visitors of all ages into the downtown.
6.2. Private Automobiles
The expected influx of visitors to the downtown will create a need for additional
parking that the area cannot currently handle. To mitigate this issue, the proposition of
parallel street parking with curb extensions along Westminster Boulevard has been
offered as a solution. Moreover, the additions of on street parking as well as two
designated parking garages for the downtown are envisioned for the increased parking
demand. The structures will be located at: (1) Olive St. and Plaza St. and (2) behind the
McDonald’s on Locust St. The structures will have a façade that matches the proposed
architectural styles of the area and will have retail on the first floor with parking on the
second and third floors. The parking lot will be hidden from view on the Westminster
Boulevard side by a decorative or vegetation-covered wall. Having two parking
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32. structures in different areas of the downtown will give visitors the choice of parking
near Sigler Park or parking closer to the main thoroughfare, Westminster Boulevard.
Figure 6.1: Location of parking structures
6.3. Pedestrians
In the spirit of emanating the park’s characteristics out into the surrounding
community, we want the downtown to be as full of pedestrians as possible. Seeing
others walk beside you or cross your path gives a level of comfort that cars speeding
past does not. We want to make Sigler Village as pedestrian-friendly as possible, and we
have come up with three main ways to do it.
Crosswalks
Though added parking will be necessary to facilitate access to the downtown, we
want to create a safe and inviting experience for pedestrians. Several crosswalks will be
added in order to improve the flow of pedestrian traffic throughout Sigler Village.
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33. Figure 6.2 (left): A typical
crosswalk at Sigler Village;
Figure 6.3 (above): material
for crosswalks
Curb extensions
To provide an increased sense of safety for pedestrians, curb extensions will be
added on Westminster Boulevard and possibly other high-traffic streets. These
extensions give more room to pedestrians and provide more space for landscaping. Curb
extensions also provide for more variety in how a street looks. Straight, narrow
sidewalks are boring, and curb extensions give interest to the streetscape and provide
for more freedom of movement.
Figure 6.4: Curb extensions along Westminster Boulevard
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34. Alleys
While enjoying the downtown, pedestrians like to have a place where they can
walk freely without having to worry about the distraction of cars driving by. Alleys in
the commercial and mixed-use areas will add to the pedestrian accessibility to the
surrounding areas in our district. The alleys will enhance the pedestrian experience
by creating nooks where automobile traffic is blocked. Since cars will not be passing
through the alleys, the alleys will be places where special events can take place, like
a farmers’ market or street fair. The following image shows how an alley can be
made into a colorful, pedestrian-only walkway.
Figure 6.5: Pedestrian alley
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35. CHAPTER SEVEN
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES
IMPLEMENTATION
ME
35

36. 7.1. Incentives for Homeowners
Multi-family: Westminster Multi-Family Block Grant Program
The Multi-Family Block Grant program for Westminster is offered through the
City of Westminster’s Redevelopment agency; and is designed to assist multi-family
residential complexes with funding for aesthetic improvements to their buildings.
Complexes and multi-family residences that are owned by a single property owner, and
not owned by a corporation would be eligible to qualify for these newly created grants if
the structures have between 4-15 rentable units.
The grant would be available to any multi-family complex located near or around
Sigler Park, with boundaries to the North of Westminster Blvd, Eastern boundary of
Hoover, Western boundary of Golden West Blvd and Southern boundary Main Street.
Furthermore this grant would enable the eligible multi-family complexes to improve
their overall appearance, increase their marketability and safety, and create a unified
visual impact on the community.
Purpose
• Revitalize the surrounding community and homes around the newly created
Westminster Village.
• Increase neighborhood beatification, neighborhood safety and increase
marketability of existing rental complexes
• Appeal to the most common types of complexes in the area, roughly 4-15 unit
complexes.
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37. Funding
• Funding would be available through various City, State and Federal grant
programs.
Eligible Apartment Complexes
• Complexes ranging from 4-15 rentable tenant dwellings with 70% equity in the
property.
• Complexes that have an 80% or more occupancy rate.
• Property must be located in Sigler Park development area, with boundaries to the
North of Westminster Blvd, Eastern boundary of Hover, Western boundary of
Golden West Blvd and Southern boundary Main Street.
Eligible Projects
Building code violations Driveway (concrete)
Electrical repairs Exterior painting
Fencing/Gates Fumigation
Heater/A.C Fixing external facades
Landscaping Repairing unit front doors
Exterior Painting Replacing window screens
Window repairs Re-roofing
Sandblast/Stucco Structural repairs
Needed tenant repairs Water heater repairs
37

38. The following images show what apartment buildings could look like once the property
owners take advantage of this new incentive program.
Figure 7.2: Typical apartment complex within Sigler Village
Figure 7.3: Possible renovation of apartment complex
38

39. Single-family: Home Enhancement Loan Program (HELP)
For single-family homes, the city of Westminster has a special program that
provides an incentive for homeowners to improve their properties. The Home
Enhancement Loan Program (HELP) offered by the Westminster Redevelopment Agency
is to assist low-to-moderate income homeowners to finance home repairs and
improvement activities on a citywide basis for the primary purpose of eliminating
unsafe, unsanitary, or deteriorating conditions. Furthermore, it is to improve the overall
quality of residential neighborhoods through preserving the architectural integrity of
housing and providing a visual impact of the community.
Figure 7.4: Vision of typical residential street in Sigler Village
Eligible Properties
1. The property must be a single family detached home.
2. The property must be in need of repairs to: correct existing code violations, and
provide exterior/interior improvements, and promote neighborhood safety.
3. Property must be located in the City of Westminster
Eligible Projects
Building code violations Driveway (concrete)
Electrical repair Exterior painting
Fencing/Gates Fumigation
Heater Interior painting
Landscaping Front door
Garage door Screens
Windows Re-roofing
Sandblast/Stucco Structural repairs
Vinyl flooring Water heater
39

40. With this program, the city attaches a lean on a property against the equity you
have in your home. The city then gives you money and it’s not due to be repaid back to
them unless you sell your house or take out a second mortgage on your house. You
must own the home before you can qualify, so you can’t be making any mortgage
payments. The lean means that it is a legal obligation against the property by the city,
and it must be dealt with before any other action can be taken with the property. The
following images show how single-family homes could be improved with HELP.
Figure 7.5: Typical house in Sigler Village (currently)
Figure 7.6: Possible renovation of house in Figure 7.5
40

41. Figure 7.6: A typical two-story house in Sigler Village area
Figure 7.7: Possible renovation of home in Figure 7.6
41

42. 7.2 Incentives for Business Owners
7.2
Federal New Markets Tax Credit Program
The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program permits taxpayers to receive a
credit against Federal income taxes for making qualified equity investments in
designated Community Development Entities (CDEs) such as Westminster’s Community
Redevelopment Agency. The credit provided to the investor totals 39 percent of the cost
of the investment and is claimed over a seven-year credit allowance period. In each of
the first three years, the investor receives a credit equal to five percent of the total
amount paid for the stock or capital interest at the time of purchase. For the final four
years, the value of the credit is six percent annually. Investors may not redeem their
investments in CDEs prior to the conclusion of the seven-year period.
The program would be offered to businesses along Westminster Boulevard and
will spur investment of private sector capital in the community by providing a tax credit
for taxpayers who make qualified equity investments.
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43. CHAPTER EIGHT
CONCLUSION
43

44. As the world’s communities become denser, “greener,” and more walkable,
other cities can look to Sigler Village as a prime example of a perfect downtown. Cities
of comparable size can use this example as a template for fostering new development
while retaining their character. Other cities in southern California have tried to create
downtowns where one is lacking, but they oftentimes fail because they ignore the
potential of what is already there.
We realize that Sigler Park is already a big part of the community, which is why it
will be the center of the downtown. The expansion of the park will make it possible for
all visitors to enjoy the recreational and social activities it provides. With the improved
sidewalks and eye-catching streetscape, pedestrians will not have a dull moment while
walking through the downtown. Tourists will also be welcomed with plenty of parking
spaces. What all visitors will notice and remember is the unique identity of Sigler Village,
provided by the unifying architecture and color palette. With the implementation
strategies we have proposed, it will be possible to turn an ordinary community into an
extraordinary downtown.
With the possibility of shopping, dining, and playing all within the same area,
there will be no better place than Sigler Village to leave your itinerary to… serendipity.
44

45. APPENDI
APPENDICES
45

46. A.1. Cities Referenced
City Articles/References
City of Westminster, CA Zoning Code update intinal study, City of Westminster, 2009
City of Pasadena, CA The Planning Center, 1580 Metro Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626
City of Long beach, CA Wendy Grant, Senior Planner
City of Pomona, CA
City of Fullerton, CA Downtown Action Plan Update, City of Redmon, OR, 2006
City of Arcadia, CA The Oregon Downtown Development Association
City of Covina, CA Salem, OR, 97308; Vicki D Dugger, Executive Director
City of St. Louis, MO
City of Stockton, CA Downtown Stockton Strategic Action Plan, August 2006
City of Redmond, OR Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc.
800 Hearst Ave, Berkeley, CA 94710
Daniel Iacofano, Eric Phillips, Dan Drazen
46

47. A.2. Housing Styles
Ranch:
The predominant style for housing in the area is the single story Ranch style. The roofs in the
area are mostly low-pitched hipped roofs, although there are several gabled roofs in the area,
which are finished with asphalt shingles. The houses have standard 12” overhangs. The front
porches are formed by either small shed roofs, or wood supported roofs. The exterior walls are
predominantly stucco finished, although some brick cladding is also used.
Neo-Tudor:
There is also a presence of Neo-Tudor style houses in the area. These multistory houses have
low-pitched gabled roofs, which are finished with asphalt shingles. The exterior walls are
finished with stucco and false half timbering.
Spanish:
There are a few examples of Spanish architecture in the area. These multistory houses use a
combination of hipped and gabled roofs, finished with a concrete S-tile. The exterior walls are
stucco finished, with a light color, and false clay pipe details at the gable ends. Several columns
that form arches overhead support the entryways. The windows are surrounded by stucco
covered foam trim and by false shutters.
Commercial:
The commercial architecture in the area is typical box retail. The commercial buildings in the
area are typically single story, flat roofed, buildings. The exterior walls are predominately
stucco finished, but some examples also have wood siding or stone cladding. The entryways
are covered by stucco overhangs, which also hold the signs for the businesses
47

48. A.3. Churches
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church Good Shepard Utd. Methodist Church
14072 Olive Street 8152 McFadden Ave.
Westminster Westminster CA
714-892-4489 714-897-0100
Korean Catholic Ministry Little Saigon Vietnamese Church
7655 Trask Ave, Westminster, CA 10321 Bolsa Ave.
Westminster, CA Westminster CA
714-897-6510 714-839-8733
Westminster Orthodox Presbyterian Church First Presbyterian Church
10101 Cunningham Ave 10321 Bolsa Ave
Westminster, CA Westminster CA
714-531-9950 714-839-8733
Chinese Presbyterian Church of Orange County Church of Jesus Christ LDS
14614 Magnolia St. 10332 Bolsa Ave
Westminster, CA Westminster CA
714-893-5500 714-554-7747
Christ Church of Westminster Bethany Bible Fellowship Church
14061 Chestnut Street 13431 Edwards Street
Westminster, CA Westminster CA
714-893-6555 714-891-5859
Orange Korean Evangelical Church La Puerta Avierta Church
13522 Goldenwest Street 14061 Chestnut Street
Westminster, CA Westminster CA
714-891-2370 714-899-2243
Calvary Chapel Pacific Coast Church of Jesus Christ LDS
6400 Westminster Blvd. 14271 Locust Street,
Westminster, CA Westminster, CA
714-893-4141 714- 897-6060
Reformation Lutheran Church Westminster Foursquare Church
15750 Magnolia Street 8091 22nd Street
Westminster, CA Westminster CA
714-893-5183 714-891-5869
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49. Journey Evangelical Church Westminster Lutheran Church
14614 Magnolia Ave. 13841 Milton Ave
Westminster, CA Westminster CA
714-893-5500 714-895-3838
Mid cities Baptist Church First Presbyterian Church
14391 Newland Street 7702 Westminster Blvd
Westminster, CA Westminster, CA
714-893-1624 or 714-379-5833 714-893-1393
Vietnamese Baptist Church Vietnamese Christian Church
14200 Goldenwest Street 13421 Edwards Street
Westminster Ca Westminster Ca
714-892-7835 714-897-1033
Vietnamese Full Gospel Church Inspirational Spiritualist Church
14381 Magnolia Street 14282 Beach Blvd
Westminster Ca Westminster Ca
714-891-8035 714-891-7291
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50. Events
A.4. Events
Farmers’ Market
Certified Farmers’ Market sponsored by Orange County Farm Bureau
(714) 573-0374
Approx.: 20 vendors
Every Wednesday 12-5, in the Mall (Goldenwest & Bolsa, Ave)
Ours could be on Saturdays
Art Fair
Currently: “Art-A-Fair” at the Mall (Goldenwest & Bolsa, Ave)
Every Wed. 12-5
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51. A.5. City History
• The area of Westminster was originally founded as a colony in 1870, but there
have been many previous settlers before then that dated all the way back to
approximately 8,000 years ago. These included the Oak Grove who were the
original settlers and then followed by the Gabrieleno Natives later.
• In the year 1492, the most of the area of North America was under the
ownership of Spain, and was under Spanish control until the 1800s when the U.S.
moved in to occupy the area.
• During California’s admission to the Union in the 1850s, an American named
Abel Stearns acquired shares from the former Rancho Los Bolsas of the Spanish.
• The official founding of Westminster colony was by the Presbyterian Reverend,
Lemuel P. Webber in 1870 after purchasing around 6,000 acres of Stearn’s ranch
area. The name “Westminster” was named from the assembly of 1643 which
prescribed the basic tenants of the Presbyterian Church. The Reverend
promoted others to move to the colony and this made the population grow.
• By the end of 1874 the colony grew to 225 inhabitants, and the first community
newspaper was started in 1878
• All throughout the 1880s, Westminster flourished agriculturally.
• Continuing throughout the 1990s, Westminster continued to grow with it’s
agriculture and laborers were coming in from other areas including Los Angeles
and even San Francisco.
• By the 1930s, Westminster began to grow into more than just a farming
community but the depression and natural disasters hindered with growth.
• WWII brought change to the area in the 1940s, and many men joined the armed
forces and the Japanese Americans were relocated out of Westminster.
• By the time the 1960s came around, population almost quadrupled and this was
a period of great growth for the community.
• The 1980s saw a huge wave of immigration from Southeast Asia, as people fled
after the Vietnam War. Because of this, many Southeast Asian businesses
opened up in Westminster, especially in the Bolsa Ave area.
• Westminster still continues to grow today and further into the next decade.
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52. A.6. City Demographics
HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES: In 2006-2008 there were 27,000 households in
Westminster city. The average household size was 3.4 people.
Families made up 77 percent of the households in Westminster city. This figure includes
both married-couple families (59 percent) and other families (19 percent).
Nonfamily households made up 23 percent of all households in Westminster city. Most
of the nonfamily households were people living alone, but some were composed of
people living in households in which no one was related to the householder.
NATIVITY AND LANGUAGE: Forty-seven percent of the people living in Westminster city
in 2006-2008 were foreign born. Fifty-three percent was native, including 40 percent
who were born in California.
Among people at least five years old living in Westminster city in 2006-2008, 64 percent
spoke a language other than English at home. Of those speaking a language other than
English at home, 29 percent spoke Spanish and 71 percent spoke some other language;
57 percent reported that they did not speak English "very well."
GEOGRAPHIC MOBILITY: In 2006-2008, 86 percent of the people at least one year old
living in Westminster city were living in the same residence one year earlier; 10 percent
had moved during the past year from another residence in the same county, 2 percent
from another county in the same state, 1 percent from another state, and 1 percent
from abroad.
EDUCATION: In 2006-2008, 74 percent of people 25 years and over had at least
graduated from high school and 21 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. Twenty-
six percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated
from high school.
The total school enrollment in Westminster city was 24,000 in 2006-2008. Nursery
school and kindergarten enrollment was 2,200 and elementary or high school
enrollment was 15,000 children. College or graduate school enrollment was 6,600.
INDUSTRIES: In 2006-2008, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading
industries in Westminster city were Manufacturing, 20 percent, and Educational
services, and health care, and social assistance, 15 percent.
OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER: Among the most common occupations were:
Sales and office occupations, 27 percent; Management, professional, and related
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53. occupations, 27 percent; Service occupations, 20 percent; Production, transportation,
and material moving occupations, 18 percent; and Construction, extraction,
maintenance and repair occupations, 8 percent. Eighty-three percent of the people
employed were Private wage and salary workers; 10 percent was Federal, state, or local
government workers; and 8 percent was Self-employed in own not incorporated
business workers.
TRAVEL TO WORK: Eighty-one percent of Westminster city workers drove to work alone
in 2006-2008, 9 percent carpooled, 3 percent took public transportation, and 4 percent
used other means. The remaining 3 percent worked at home. Among those who
commuted to work, it took them on average 26.6 minutes to get to work.
INCOME: The median income of households in Westminster city was $59,731. Eighty-
two percent of the households received earnings and 15 percent received retirement
income other than Social Security. Twenty-eight percent of the households received
Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $14,507. These income
sources are not mutually exclusive; that is, some households received income from
more than one source.
POVERTY AND PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS: In 2006-2008, 11 percent
of people were in poverty. Fourteen percent of related children under 18 were below
the poverty level, compared with 12 percent of people 65 years old and over. Ten
percent of all families and 18 percent of families with a female householder and no
husband present had incomes below the poverty level.
POPULATION OF Westminster city: In 2006-2008, Westminster city had a total
population of 90,000 - 46,000 (51 percent) females and 44,000 (49 percent) males. The
median age was 38.1 years. Twenty-four percent of the population was under 18 years
and 14 percent was 65 years and older.
For people reporting one race alone, 45 percent was White; 1 percent was Black or
African American; less than 0.5 percent was American Indian and Alaska Native; 43
percent was Asian; less than 0.5 percent was Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander,
and 8 percent was some other race. Two percent reported Two or more races. Twenty-
four percent of the people in Westminster city was Hispanic. Thirty percent of the
people in Westminster city was White non-Hispanic. People of Hispanic origin may be of
any race.
HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS: In 2006-2008, Westminster city had a total of 28,000
housing units, 4 percent of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 61 percent
was in single-unit structures, 27 percent was in multi-unit structures, and 12 percent
was mobile homes. Eleven percent of the housing units were built since 1990.
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54. OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS: In 2006-2008, Westminster city had
27,000 occupied housing units - 15,000 (57 percent) owner occupied and 12,000 (43
percent) renter occupied. Two percent of the households did not have telephone
service and 6 percent of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for
private use. Multi Vehicle households were not rare. Thirty-nine percent had two
vehicles and another 29 percent had three or more.
HOUSING COSTS: The median monthly housing costs for mortgaged owners was $2,300,
nonmortgaged owners $395, and renters $1,302. Fifty-four percent of owners with
mortgages, 11 percent of owners without mortgages, and 64 percent of renters in
Westminster city spent 30 percent or more of household income on housing.
Source:
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/NPTable?_bm=y&-geo_id=16000US0684550&-
qr_name=ACS_2008_3YR_G00_NP01&-ds_name=&-redoLog=false
54

55. A.7. Businesses Within the Area
Home Depot USPS
Kohl’s dept. store The UPS store
Arco gas station Ocean Bridge Enterprises
Office Furniture Outlet Datamart
Mc Donalds B & S Tax & Business Services
City Center Service Bodie’s Glass Service
ATM World Advantech Office Equipment
Marina Label Inc Furniture stores
Sunny Printing and Copy K O D Home Product
E Labels Vision Sign
Directchannel Wholesale Inc. Bonjour Staffing Inc
Thanh Media Hispanic Services Corporation
Le’s Travel A variety of fast food (American)
Le Hoi Consultant A variety of sit down and pick up restaurants (Vietnamese)
55

56. A.8. Figure Citations
Figure 2.1: Satellite photo of district. Source: http://images.google.com
Figure 3.2: Sigler Park playground. Source: http://www.westminster-
ca.gov/oldsite/commsrvs/parks/city_parks.html
Figure 3.3: Splash Pad at Sigler Park. Source: http://www.westminster-
ca.gov/oldsite/commsrvs/parks/city_parks.html
Figure 4.1: Satellite photo of district. Source: http://maps.google.com
Figure 4.2: Satellite photo of district. Source: http://maps.google.com
Figure 5.12: Light post style to be used. Source: http://quezi.com/wp-
content/uploads/2009/03/lyme_regis_street_light.jpg
Figure 5.13: Wooden trash can. Source:
http://www.acsupplies.com/images/woodenTrashCan.jpg
Figure 5.14: Wooden recycle bin. Source:
http://peaceinheart.com/images/Part%20No%201200WD00%20-
%20Wood%20DBL%20Recycle%20Bin.jpg
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