[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6106447,"mediaKeyId","2781036-69aeae6cf14dda5686dd6e0b47851038","parentId",2781036,"title","South Pasadena commission approves removal of two trees at 1459 Indiana Avenue after arborist review","audioSeconds",2572,"startMs",1948000,"endMs",4520000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781036-69aeae6cf14dda5686dd6e0b47851038&start=1948&end=4520","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781036-69aeae6cf14dda5686dd6e0b47851038/thumbnail_1948000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6106447/South-Pasadena-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/South-Pasadena-commission-approves-removal-of-two-trees-at-1459-Indiana-Avenue-after-arborist-review","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106447-f4c26f9259640c40805e4337ae9757d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180304&Signature=a1kHReTf9oMnEd2~ga0fA-cFZwudAvxMnhGH10eFDpXXow24lJG5acknT9L-9P64l6cwzVVUsP6ZW3iH7J7AeqSFmhHFKyl8742XvKTOwG1wv69HQE4ZlIpchePo5rp5A44CvAmylNmaWlJ2nMzFctRtcywywhSTGyL8OZOM-pd~skt2iV~BYhysS3NLqCmZYMw1kaIgn-a0BkGFNqzxbCIJSV8Sxh8LzyxNRdHN-QRvvndDHPFlE8WKgnq4t-thIRPwCe6v95n7lG~8k1EES2nvxoJ5f1rItA-XYQgQmo3B~d1~xvbH~YbdruaBlJMyH5KBy2yUJnt0Go1kz7GeCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of South Pasadena, California","date","2025-03-26T21:32:32.257Z","article","The Natural Resources and Environmental Commission approved a permit to remove two trees at 1459 Indiana Avenue after staff and the city arborist recommended removal based on lean and poor soil conditions that may cause uprooting.

Staff said the application listed a 19-inch eucalyptus (classified as a significant tree under municipal thresholds) and a 9-inch cedar (not significant under the 12-inch threshold). The city arborist inspected the site in late January and concluded the trees posed a risk because of slope, poor soil and burrowing rodents undermining root stability; staff cited Municipal Code 34.11(a)(1) as the authority allowing removal when a tree poses a reasonable risk to persons or property.

The staff report also noted a prior, separate unpermitted removal in February 2022: two trees were removed after the current owners purchased the property. Staff said one of those earlier trees was about 20 to 24 inches and that the owners paid the $125 inspection fee and a $322 tree removal permit fee at that time (total $447). Because the prior removal was categorized as an unintentional violation, staff said the replacement requirement doubled to six 24-inch box trees; a deposit for one replacement tree was recorded in February, but staff reported the prior requirement had not been fulfilled and said they would consult the city attorney about any statutory limits on re-opening that case.

Neighbors and public commenters strongly objected to additional removals. Angelo Gladding said he was \"unable to understand how that tree was removed, and only a $400 $450 fine and still no replacements,\" and asked why a replacement plan had not been required earlier. A neighbor identified as Deborah told the commission she had lived near the property for 25 years and called the trees \"perfectly healthy,\" urging denial of the permit.

The property owners told the commission they bought the home in October 2021 and described a steep sandy slope, ground-squirrel undermining, and storm and fire-related concerns. The owners said they had planted some ground cover and attempted to stabilize the slope but planned a contractor-led slope-stabilization project and intended to plant replacement trees at appropriate locations. One applicant said they \"were unaware of those strict requirements\" in city code when the earlier removals occurred and described confusion in communications with former city staff.

Commission discussion examined the arborist findings and the previous unintentional violation. Commissioners asked about replacement timing and enforcement: staff said replacement trees required by permit must be planted within the next planting cycle and staff may revisit properties to confirm tree survival; municipal code allows staff to check replacement survival within two years.

A motion to approve the removal of two trees at 1459 Indiana Avenue passed on a roll call vote with all commissioners voting yes. Staff confirmed the replacement requirement attached to this permit is two replacement trees for the current application, and the outstanding prior replacement obligation (six trees) remains an unresolved matter referenced in the objection letter and subject to possible legal limitations on further action by the city.

Action summary: permit approved; property owners must meet replacement requirements specified by municipal code and staff; staff will consult the city attorney about the prior unfulfilled replacement obligation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Natural Resources and Environmental Commission - March 25th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Natural Resources and Environmental Commission voted unanimously to allow removal of a 19-inch eucalyptus and a 9-inch cedar at 1459 Indiana Ave, citing arborist findings of lean and unstable soil; the property owners must meet replacement requirements under municipal code.","taxTitle","South Pasadena City, Los Angeles County, California","taxId",70853,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6106452,"South Pasadena library/community center site plan moves into public engagement phase",1641,303000,1944000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2781036-69aeae6cf14dda5686dd6e0b47851038&start=303&end=1944","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2781036-69aeae6cf14dda5686dd6e0b47851038/thumbnail_303000.jpg","/articles/6106452/South-Pasadena-City/Los-Angeles-County/California/South-Pasadena-librarycommunity-center-site-plan-moves-into-public-engagement-phase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6106452-6f3375bef3b1ef8eb50a9228264c217c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771180304&Signature=HJ0JXaur9M34r8TF1qiH9ci-xqcNuU1tmjD2LpsbuRmgmGpqazx3Q9ws5hwJcMK4ByKIL7o9WI07sDrEikjpQ31Sn05CN1CuWQ-xd3oHYLuijuvEcBEvWAXIcN5lcyWUNOJusDjIKlPWlT1POfw~oNXNO57neq-YjYCwlJ5ENu8bYEUv0771fWlYYKU9DUWg4WkhBU46P4V-TdCmT7wHdDg2fMqafnL9S1aBvsAQfj0PFaxonP4mIKr~shnGLjpu4HnhFdeNngzqTFk7MSwJbCPf8vTfgUhbLUbO40gclmEBvAyN2tTlziTyR3ldADHVLDRXG~2rByeNOuLtelvk6Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kathy Billings, director of the South Pasadena Public Library, briefed the Natural Resources and Environmental Commission on a site-plan project that will study whether to renovate the existing library and senior center or build a new combined library and community center in Library Park.

The presentation explained that the site-plan phase will assess space needs, accessibility and historic preservation constraints, and produce a footprint-level site plan that could be used to pursue funding and inform later design work.

Billings said the library building dates from 1983 (with a 1930-facing community room) and has accumulated deferred maintenance and functional limits that hamper modern library and senior programming. \"We're really just in a very preliminary, needs assessment and kind of fact finding phase,\" Billings said, adding that the site plan is intended to document community needs and provide material to potential funders and the City Council.

The project team includes the architecture firm Group 4 (consultant for the site-plan phase). Staff said the site-plan work will (1) document program and space needs for both library and senior services; (2) gather community input; and (3) produce a site plan showing potential footprints and high-level cost guidance. Billings said subsequent phases — funding analysis, design and construction — would follow only if the council elects to pursue them.

Staff outlined a two-round public-engagement program for this phase. Round one is an online visual survey and several in-person workshops and kiosk events; the survey was described as open through May/June with a second round of concept review planned for summer. Specific outreach dates and venues cited in the presentation included community workshops on April 9 and April 10, a presence at Farmers Market events and the Eclectic Music Festival, and an online project website with a FAQ section.

Commissioners and other speakers raised questions about funding, timeline, whether the site plan would be treated as a deliverable requiring council action, and whether the architects were considering nearby development and downtown plan changes. Billings responded that the site plan itself will be information for council consideration in October, and that it is intended to support fundraising and to inform design if council approves further steps. She said the consultants are reviewing the downtown specific plan, housing element and in-process residential projects to ensure the site plan engages future changes along Mission Street and the park frontage.

Commission members and attendees suggested topics for the survey and later phases, including: flexible multi-use meeting spaces, greater accessibility, designing for intergenerational use, community resilience functions (backup energy and emergency use), and a possible tool-lending library. Billings said the survey includes a question about sustainability and shared-use items and that space requirements for a tool-lending program could be considered in the next phases if community response supports it.

The presentation noted cultural-heritage constraints for any site work: the Morton Bay fig tree in Library Park is a local cultural landmark, and the portion of the building that faces El Centro dates to 1930 and is on the local cultural heritage list; those elements will be integrated into any site-plan options. Billings emphasized a desire for a flexible facility that could serve the community for decades and for broad outreach to nontraditional users (park users, parents, and seniors as well as regular library patrons).

Next steps: staff will continue Round 1 engagement (survey and in-person workshops), the consultant will analyze results and return concepts for Round 2 review this summer, and the site plan is scheduled to be presented to City Council in October for consideration.","City library director presented a site-plan phase to study whether to renovate or build a new combined library and community center in Library Park, launching an outreach survey and a series of workshops this spring.","actionData","errors"]

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South Pasadena commission approves removal of two trees at 1459 Indiana Avenue after arborist review

South Pasadena library/community center site plan moves into public engagement phase