The Upland City Council on Oct. 13 approved a development plan review for a proposed five‑level parking structure at the southwest corner of First Avenue and C Street in downtown Upland, finding the project categorically exempt from CEQA under the infill development exemption.

The proposed structure would total roughly 150,000 square feet, contain 407 parking spaces and provide about 9,900 square feet of ground‑floor commercial space facing First Avenue and C Street. Design drawings presented to the council show a brick‑veneer and corrugated‑metal façade inspired by local citrus packinghouse architecture, glass‑backed elevators, landscaping and pedestrian amenities. The structure’s typical height is about 50.9 feet with the highest point, at elevator overruns, reaching about 62 feet.

Joshua Winter, project planner, told the council the city has completed preliminary design and entitlements work and the planning commission recommended approval. He said the item before council was an entitlement decision; no funding was on the table and construction documents and security measures will be developed later with building and safety, police and public works staff.

Council members and residents discussed tree preservation, streetscape impacts and the project’s schedule. Resident speaker Natasha Walton, a wildlife biologist, urged preservation of mature street trees along First Avenue and recommended adding native plants to the landscape palette. Staff said the landscape architect will select species appropriate for the planters and that staff will evaluate whether existing First Avenue trees can be preserved or whether new street trees are required.

Council Member Shannon Mauss cautioned residents that there is currently no funding for the $25 million‑class project; staff confirmed the project is “shovel‑ready” from an entitlement perspective but requires future funding, grant applications and possible financing. City staff said the council had received a $1.7 million SBCTA grant toward downtown projects and that additional funding sources would be pursued.

Council members expressed support for the project as a long‑term catalyst for downtown revitalization and approved a resolution adopting the development plan review by unanimous roll call vote. Staff said anticipated next steps include final construction documents, further outreach on tree and streetscape preservation, coordination on safety and security design with police and public works, and continued work on funding strategies.