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Council accepts subcommittee recommendations trimming Old Town event road closures; subcommittee work to continue
Summary
After a multi‑hour subcommittee review and public discussion, the council unanimously accepted recommendations that reduce Old Town street‑closure days substantially (from the high‑70s to 25 days under the subcommittee plan) and asked staff to implement the revised event schedule and continue balancing community activation with business access.
The Temecula City Council on April 8 accepted a package of recommendations from a community‑services subcommittee that reduced Old Town event-related road closures and updated the schedule and locations for civic events.
Staff initially reported that previously approved Old Town events and associated street closures totaled about 78.5 days annually; council’s March direction and the subcommittee review reduced that number. After the subcommittee meeting on April 2, staff reported a revised calendar with about 25 closure days under the new recommendations. The council voted unanimously to accept the subcommittee’s recommendations.
Key changes and staff/subcommittee positions included: - Community Services Expo: subcommittee recommended it remain at the Civic Center Quad; staff also suggested alternate locations (recreation centers or parks) if council desired relocation. - Rod Run (classic‑car cruise and Show & Shine): no change recommended. - CultureFest: subcommittee recommended keeping the event at the Civic Center Quad but discussed shortening the program if logistics could be adjusted. - Juneteenth: subcommittee recommended combining the Juneteenth celebration with Culture Day at Sam Hicks Monument Park to avoid street closures. - Summer concert series and Sunset Market: recommended to remain at the Civic Center Quad with adjustments to timing so the markets and concerts do not add extra closures. - Fourth of July parade: subcommittee recommended no change; staff suggested alternatives but council kept the event. - Cartoonapalooza: subcommittee recommended keeping the event at the Civic Center Quad but shortening hours to reduce closure time. - Veterans event: subcommittee recommended a refreshed format (Veterans expo and barbecue) and moving it to the Saturday before Veterans Day with a shorter closure window.
Council discussion weighed Old Town’s civic‑center role in hosting community gatherings and empirical data on sales tax growth downtown. Several councilmembers argued the Civic Center and Town Square were intentionally designed to host events; others emphasized minimizing business impacts from road closures. Multiple councilmembers also suggested staff continue to examine operational alternatives (traffic management, crossing-guarding, paving/crosswalk design) that could allow more activation without full street closures.
Action: Council voted unanimously to accept the subcommittee’s recommendations and to implement the revised event calendar, with staff to coordinate logistics, vendor breakdown timing and public‑safety measures. Council asked staff to report back as needed and to continue work with the General Plan ad hoc and operating departments on long‑term solutions where appropriate.
