Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Update on Existing Conditions at Blakey Park and Presentation of Site Map.
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From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Adolfo Ozaeta, Assistant City Manager; and Shaunna Hunter, Senior Management Analyst
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Receive and file the update.
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BACKGROUND
Blakey Park is a jointly owned open space facility managed by the City of Westminster and the Westminster Historical Society. The property was previously owned by Leora Blakey, who donated an undivided interest in the parcel to both entities. The 2.37-acre site, located at 8612 Westminster Boulevard, Westminster, California, contains several structures and a gated parking lot.
At the March 26, 2025 City Council meeting, Council directed staff to initiate an initial site assessment of Blakey Park. This direction included obtaining a title report and preparing an existing conditions site assessment map.
On April 6, 2025, City Council members visited Blakey Park during the Westminster Historical Society’s regular public hours, held on the first Sunday of each month.
The title report was requested through First American Title and provided to City staff on April 22, 2025 (Attachment 1).
City staff subsequently met onsite with representatives of the Westminster Historical Society to discuss existing site use and conditions.
On July 9, 2025, City staff and representatives of the Westminster Historical Society conducted a joint site visit with MIG, a landscape architecture firm. MIG reviewed the existing site conditions, including property boundaries and easements, and provided a proposal for services (Attachment 2). Staff accepted the proposal and MIG, in collaboration with staff, developed the draft Site Assessment Map (Attachment 3). It is important to note that design services were not included as part of this initial effort. MIG’s efforts were limited to site exploration, fact finding, collection of onsite measurements, and creation of site map of existing conditions.
Once staff received a draft of the existing conditions site map from MIG, staff collaborated with a representative of the Westminster Historical Society to ensure the labeling of structures and historical features included in the map were properly reflected.
To date, the city and/or its consultants have not participated in any discussions regarding the design and development of a cultural center at Blakey Park or at any city-owned facility.
FISCAL IMPACT
None.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff has completed the initial site assessment process as directed by the City Council. This included obtaining a title report, coordinating site visits with the Westminster Historical Society, and working with MIG to prepare an existing conditions site map. These documents provide a baseline understanding of property ownership, easements, and existing site conditions. Staff recommends Council receive and file the attached reports, and if desired, provide further direction regarding Blakey Park.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Blakey Park Title Report provided by First American Title
2. Landscape Design Services Proposal for Blakey Park by MIG
3. Blakey Park Site Assessment Map
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager