San Antonio City Councilwomen Ivalis Meza Gonzalez and Marina Alderete Gavito tour the area near the proposed Guajolote Ranch development, with members of the Scenic Loop-Helotes Creek Alliance, representatives of San Antonio neighborhood associations and local residents., on Sept. 30.
Below is our response to the press release from San Antonio City Council members Ivalis Meza Gonzalez and Marina Alderete Gavito on their filing of a Council Consideration Request (CCR) on the Guajolote Ranch issue. [The release is copied in its entirety at the bottom, here] This is a big moment in this ongoing story.
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Oct. 3, 2025
Statement from the Scenic Loop-Helotes Creek Alliance
In response to the Council Consideration Request (CCR) filing by San Antonio City Council members to review the Guajolote Ranch issue
We extend our sincere gratitude to San Antonio City Council members Ivalis Meza Gonzalez and Marina Alderete Gavito for their decision to bring the Guajolote Ranch issue forward for review. This action reflects a commendable commitment to transparency, scientific integrity and the long-term well-being of our region.
We write today to underscore the critical importance of safeguarding the Edwards Aquifer — a resource that is far more than a geological formation. It is a lifeline for over 2.5 million Texans across multiple counties. The aquifer sustains our communities, nourishes our ecosystems and anchors our future.
While the natural beauty of the Hill Country continues to attract developers and homebuyers, our growing scientific understanding leaves no room for ambiguity: Releasing 1 million gallons a day of wastewater in one of the state’s most vulnerable watersheds poses a direct threat to our water supply. To compromise the integrity of the Edwards Aquifer for the sake of unchecked development is to gamble with the health and prosperity of future generations.
At a time when water scarcity looms and development pressures intensify, there is only one responsible path forward: Build elsewhere — where the aquifer is not placed at risk. We urge our elected leaders to prioritize long-term sustainability over short-term gains and to lead with the vision and courage this moment demands.
The threat is real. The facts are inconvenient. The geology is immutable.
We thank councilwomen Meza Gonzalez and Alderete Gavito for their proactive approach in seeking scientific guidance on this issue. We are confident that, with the facts in hand, the council will choose to protect the integrity of the Edwards Aquifer and the future of the millions who depend on it.
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For a backgrounder on the issue, go here, “The Guajolote Ranch Issue Explained”: https://www.scenicloop.org/post/1679/the-guajolote-ranch-issue-explained/
For our point-by-point rebuttal to the statement Lennar sent to KSAT-TV last week: https://www.scenicloop.org/post/1702/response-of-the-scenic-loop-helotes-creek-alliance-to-lennar-corporations-statement-that-first-aired-on-ksat-tv-sept-23-2025/
The Scenic Loop-Helotes Creek Alliance is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) group representing the largest neighborhood by square mile recognized by the San Antonio Neighborhood & Housing Services Department, a wide corridor along Scenic Loop Road from Bandera Road to north of Babcock Road.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Valeria Mata, Communications Director, City Council District 8
210-971-0301 | Valeria.Mata2@sanantonio.gov
James Branch, Chief of Staff, City Council District 7
210-872-4977 | James.Branch@sanantonio.gov
District 8 and District 7 Councilmembers Call for Comprehensive Review of Guajolote Ranch Development
SAN ANTONIO (October 2, 2025) – District 8 and District 7 Councilmembers have filed a Council Consideration Request (CCR) requesting a comprehensive review of the proposed Guajolote Ranch Project near Helotes. The project is located over the sensitive recharge and contributing zones of the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers.
District 8 Councilmember Ivalis Meza Gonzalez warned that the proposal could undermine decades of conservation efforts and jeopardize the lifeline of San Antonio’s water supply. “The project has raised alarm among residents, environmental organizations, and water protection advocates. The Edwards Aquifer is not just a resource—it is our future. The risk of contaminating the Aquifers is just too great. It is the foundation of our health, our economy, and our way of life. Any project that threatens its sustainability must be met with the highest level of scrutiny and accountability,” said Meza Gonzalez.
The CCR directs City staff and the San Antonio Water System to examine the potential dangers posed by the Guajolote Ranch Project, including the risks of a proposed water treatment plant and the long-term consequences for water quality and recharge. It also calls for the exploration of funding mechanisms and partnerships that would allow for land acquisitions, conservation easements, or other protective measures to safeguard the Helotes Creek watershed.
“Our goal is to find a creative solution that puts the best interests of our residents first,” stated Councilmember Marina Alderete Gavito. “With the partners involved—and by working closely with Lennar Homes—we can find a workable path that makes things whole while ensuring our drinking water remains safe. Above all, water safety is paramount.”
By filing this CCR, the Councilmembers are urging their colleagues to take proactive steps to protect the Edwards Aquifer before irreversible damage occurs. Their joint action reflects a commitment to safeguarding San Antonio’s long-term water security and ensuring that development beyond city limits is approached with vigilance and foresight.###
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