Angelo Gladding told the South Pasadena Cultural Heritage Commission on Sept. 18 that a pending amendment to the city's tree ordinance could significantly weaken protections for nonnative trees and that the Cultural Heritage Commission should consider trees’ cultural and heritage value before the ordinance’s second and final reading on Oct. 1.

"Last night, there was a tree ordinance amendment that, was pretty historic change. And, I don't think everybody understands, the impact that removing protections from nonnative trees is going to have," Gladding said during the meeting’s public comment period. He told commissioners that trees hold heritage and culture and urged them to review neighborhood tree composition to understand what could be lost under the proposed changes.

The comment was made during the general public‑comment portion of the Sept. 18 meeting; staff reported that one person spoke in chambers and no speakers participated via Zoom on that item. No formal action, referral or staff report on the tree ordinance was taken or requested by the commission during this meeting.

Because the tree ordinance amendment is scheduled for a second and final reading on Oct. 1, Gladding urged commissioners to take the timing into account when considering potential responses or advisory input. The transcript did not include further details of the ordinance text, the specific proposed changes or any official city staff presentation on the ordinance at this meeting.