San Antonio Water Company New Headquarters

For more than a century, San Antonio Water Company has quietly provided a service that every household and business depends on. Now, that legacy is moving forward with a proposal to construct a modern headquarters in Upland, designed to meet today’s operational needs while respecting the surrounding neighborhood.

The proposed site, at the southeast corner of 20th Street and Flower Court, is not new to utility use. It has long housed critical infrastructure, including a landmark water tank dating back to 1930, a pump station, and several signal buildings. What’s new is the opportunity to modernize the facility and bring the site’s official land-use designations into alignment with how it has functioned for generations.

1. Aligning the Map With Reality

Land-use rules matter. They shape how neighborhoods grow and how essential services are delivered. While the SAWCO site has operated as a utility for more than 100 years, its official General Plan and zoning classifications still reflected a residential designation.

To correct that mismatch, the project requires updates to two planning documents:

Classification

General Plan -Single-Family Low (SFR-L) to Public Utilities (PU)

Zoning Residential Single-Family Low (RS-10) to Public/Institutional (PB/I)

This isn’t about expanding industrial uses into neighborhoods, it’s about accuracy and transparency. The proposed changes recognize the site’s historic function while setting clear rules for its future use. Just as important, the design of the new headquarters demonstrates that utility operations can coexist responsibly with nearby homes.

That guiding principle—being a good neighbor, shaped every aspect of the project.

2. A Campus Designed to Fit Its Neighborhood

The new headquarters has been intentionally designed to blend into its residential surroundings rather than dominate them.

• Architecture with Context: Buildings will feature a low-profile, Spanish-style design that avoids an industrial appearance and complements nearby homes.

• Generous Landscaping: A deep 150-foot setback from the street will be transformed into a landscaped citrus grove, creating a natural buffer. The plan also includes a dry creek-style stormwater infiltration basin and replaces an aging block wall with an attractive decorative steel fence.

• Smart Site Planning: Public-facing administrative offices are positioned toward the street, screening maintenance areas, storage, and employee parking from view.

The result is a campus that looks intentional, well-maintained, and consistent with the character of the neighborhood.

3. Meeting State Housing Requirements Responsibly

Changing a property from residential zoning to a public use triggers California’s “no net loss” housing rules under SB 330. In plain terms, a city must ensure that any reduction in potential housing capacity is offset elsewhere.

Upland addressed this requirement thoughtfully. By pairing the SAWCO site changes with concurrent zoning actions at 852 Alpine Street and 460 S. Campus Avenue, the City demonstrated a net gain of five potential housing units citywide. This approach allowed the utility project to proceed while still expanding overall housing capacity—meeting state law without sacrificing local planning priorities.

4. Access, Traffic, and Neighborhood Input

Access planning was one of the most discussed aspects of the project. The proposed layout assigns each access point a specific purpose. Residents offered differing perspectives, some favored limiting access on Campus Avenue, while others preferred reducing traffic on 20th Street. After evaluating all options, the Planning Commission recommended consolidating non-emergency access via Campus Avenue only.

This recommendation is supported by a new four-way stop at Campus Avenue and 20th Street, improving visibility and safety. With an estimated 91 daily vehicle trips—well below city thresholds—the project is not expected to disrupt neighborhood traffic patterns.

5. Environmental Review and Resource Protection

As required by the California Environmental Quality Act, the project underwent a detailed environmental review. The City prepared a Mitigated Negative Declaration, meaning potential impacts were identified and addressed through enforceable mitigation measures.

Key protections include:

• Wildlife Safeguards: Pre-construction surveys for burrowing owls and nesting birds, along with coordination with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife regarding sensitive species.

• Cultural and Archaeological Protocols: Clear procedures to pause work and protect any archaeological resources or human remains if discovered.

• Tribal Consultation: Ongoing coordination with the San Manuel and Kizh Nations, including construction monitoring to safeguard tribal cultural resources.

These measures ensure the project moves forward responsibly and in compliance with state law.

The proposed SAWCO headquarters reflects careful planning, community input, and respect for both neighborhood character and regulatory requirements. It modernizes a long-standing utility site, resolves zoning inconsistencies, meets state housing laws, addresses traffic concerns, and protects environmental and cultural resources.

On October 22, 2025, the Upland Planning Commission recommended the project for approval. City staff has now recommended that the City Council consider final approval at its January 12, 2026 meeting, including the environmental determination, General Plan amendment, zone change, and final development plan.

On January 12, the Upland City Council voted unanimously to approve the project. With the condition that all vehicle trips use Campus Ave, not 20th Street.