Business Management

Old Town changes in final stretch.
TEMECULA —- Even after an extensive effort to determine how development will take place in Old Town, some property owners still have beefs with proposed code changes —- mainly that there”s no requirement for most new businesses to add parking spots.The Planning Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to recommend that the City Council pursue an amendment to the Old Town specific plan that will allow taller buildings and establish design standards to guide the overall development of the historical area.The council will consider the policy change to the historical district”s development code at Tuesday”s 7 p.m. meeting at City Hall, 43200 Business Park Drive.Of the 10 recommendations to be considered, there are no changes suggested on parking. Currently, a new building does not have to provide dedicated parking spaces for its tenants.While the city has touted the construction next year of a 480-space parking garage on Mercedes and Second streets as a way to provide future parking for the Old Town district, some argue that more creative ideas are needed.In 1999, the city eliminated parking requirements in Old Town in an effort to spur construction in the once-sleepy district.