Director Peters approved a conditional use permit on Dec. 11 for a Launch Family Entertainment Center to occupy a 35,292-square-foot building at 27520 Inez Road in the Temecula Town Center, saying activation of the vacant space should help improve conditions at the shopping center. The permit (PA25-0326) was granted subject to conditions of approval; appeals are allowed within 15 calendar days.

Planning staff presented the project and recommended approval. Marcy, planning staff, told the hearing the facility is classified as a sports and recreational use that requires a conditional use permit in the community commercial zone and that the project is proposed to include trampolines, arcade games, mini golf, a soft play area, a basketball court, axe throwing, and a virtual reality area, along with a restaurant/cafe seeking an ABC Type 41 license to serve beer and wine. Staff said the building would reuse an existing 35,292-square-foot structure, the required parking for the use is 134 spaces, and the site currently participates in a reciprocal parking agreement that provides 1,674 on-site spaces with 176 designated to the building. Staff also said the project was categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines §15301 (existing facilities) and that the applicant had accepted the recommended conditions of approval.

During the public comment portion, Courtney Davy, director of Paul Mitchell School Temecula, told the hearing she had safety concerns about the shopping center and said property management had not removed trash for over a week and that "we have homeless people that are roaming and dropping their pants and performing lewd acts in front of our windows." Courtney said she feared for small children who would visit a family entertainment center in that area. The comment was made from the Paul Mitchell School location within the Temecula Town Center.

Andy Hinman, representing Temecula Family Fund Inc., the franchisees for the Launch project, acknowledged awareness of the homeless activity and said the applicant expects the business to help by "activating" the site. Hinman told the hearing the project will have security cameras around the building and staff trained in security, and he said there is a pending landlord-led modification application to improve the trash enclosure and that lighting and landscaping improvements are planned as part of exterior modifications.

Director Peters said he had read the staff report, was familiar with the site and the conditions of approval, and acknowledged the Paul Mitchell representative's concerns, noting staff is working with "RSO" and property management on cold cases. Peters said activating the vacant building, together with other tenants nearby, should move the center in the right direction. He then approved PA25-0326 subject to the stated conditions and read the appeal period and caution about expenditures during that time.

No further action was recorded at the hearing; the director's decision is subject to the 15-calendar-day appeal period.