Ever since Steve Kim submitted a development plan to the city of Temecula more than a year ago to build the 355-room, seven-stories-tall Old Town Temecula Resort & Spa, concerns have come.
It was no different this week. During Wednesday's Temecula Planning Commission meeting, commissioners each told the applicant the project was not in compliance with the development standards of the city's Old Town Specific Plan. They ticked off reasons and encouraged Kim to come back with the required updates.
The project is proposed for a 2.15-acre lot on the east side of Front Street, between First and Second streets. The proposal has, at various times since January 2022, come before city staff, steering committees, subcommittees and the planning commission. Each time Kim received the same approximate feedback, city documents show.
Given its height and location near the entrance to Old Town Temecula's south side, there is also concern the proposed resort would tower over the popular tourist destination, creating a "canyon effect," the commissioners said.
Kim's plan is grand: a 288,269-square-foot full-service hotel with a four-level parking garage. Amenities would include a spa, wedding garden, grand ballroom, banquet lounge, bars, restaurants, gym and pool.
It's unclear whether the project will get redesigned and eventually pass city muster.
Commissioner Gary Watts told Kim, "I'm sure staff wants to work with you to come up with a project that you want to do, that you like, that meets all of our standards."
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