The Natural Resources and Environmental Commission on Dec. 16 recommended that the City of South Pasadena pursue an all‑drone format for its Fourth of July sky show, approving a motion that asked staff to plan for an all‑drone show with a budget of $50,000 or more.

Melissa Snyder, the city’s community services deputy director, summarized three formats staff studied — a traditional 20‑minute fireworks show (one proposal estimated at $40,000), drone light shows of varying length and scale, and hybrid options that could pair drones with pyrotechnics or separate drone and fireworks vendors. Snyder told commissioners the city budgeted $175,000 this year for all Independence Day activities and that staff expects to return to council with a recommended vendor and contract with a goal of awarding in February 2026.

Why it matters: commissioners and members of the public raised noise, air‑quality and public‑safety concerns about fireworks. An in‑person commenter, Will Tucker Nelson, urged the commission “to recommend against fireworks,” citing noise impacts on people and wildlife and health harms from air pollution. A virtual commenter, Angelo Gladding, cited online data he said shows very few on‑site replacement trees were planted in 2023 and flagged broader environmental effects of fireworks.

Commission debate centered on tradeoffs among community tradition, cost and public‑health impacts. Supporters of a drone‑only show said drones reduce noise and pollution and present an opportunity for a high‑resolution spectacle in the city’s 250th anniversary year. Other commissioners suggested hybrid approaches or staging separate drone and short fireworks segments so residents could compare formats.

The commission did not select a specific vendor or contract; the motion directed staff to prepare a formal recommendation for council. The commission approved the recommendation by roll‑call vote and the motion passed. Staff will bring a contract recommendation and vendor details to city council for final approval.

Provenance: staff presentation and Q&A (Melissa Snyder), public comments (Angelo Gladding; Will Tucker Nelson), motion and roll call (commission meeting minutes).