The Temecula Planning Commission on Nov. 19 voted to deny planning application PA25-0137, which proposed keeping an unpermitted gray paint scheme on 13 of the 24 buildings at Temecula Town Center. Planning staff had recommended denial, saying the gray tones conflict with the center’s approved warm-color palette and municipal design standards.

Planning staff presented a multi-year enforcement timeline, beginning with a complaint on Jan. 31, 2023, and repeated code-enforcement contacts. Jaime, the planning presenter, told the commission that "gray is not supported" by the city’s design standards and that code enforcement ultimately issued repeated civil penalties. Staff reported $27,500 in cumulative unpaid fines sent to collections and said no payments have been received.

Staff described efforts to resolve the dispute through administrative review and meetings with a commercial-center subcommittee. The subcommittee — which included Gary Watts and Lanae Turley Trejo, staff said — recommended three paths: revert to the previously approved 2005 warm-tone palette; submit revised colors within that family; or adopt an off-white scheme applied uniformly across the center. Jaime said the applicant repeatedly declined the subcommittee options and that several resubmittals proposed the same gray palette.

Commissioners questioned logistics and enforcement outcomes. Staff said that an off-white alternative would require coordination with other property owners because the applicant owns 13 of the 24 buildings and the remaining buildings are held by multiple other entities (including the supermarket and gas-station properties). Jaime said an administrative resubmittal covering all affected buildings and signed by the multiple owners would be required for a redesign option.

Commissioners criticized the applicant’s repeated absences from scheduled hearings and the failure of monetary penalties to compel compliance. Commissioner Hagel moved to deny the application, and Commissioner Watson seconded. The commission voted in favor; the chair announced the motion carried and the application was denied. The denial, per staff, means the 2005 planning-commission-approved colors are the applicable standard and must be reapplied unless the applicant submits a new, compliant application that meets the subcommittee’s enumerated options.

Next steps: staff indicated that failure to resubmit an acceptable application within specified timelines would return the matter to the city attorney for legal resolution. The commission did not receive any public comment at the hearing because the applicant and public speakers were not present.