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These three mature trees will be cut by the City of Pasadena between now and the end of this month.

By Wafic Khalil

On October 13, 2016, the City of Pasadena posted notices of removal of three mature ficus trees on 497 S. Lake Avenue. Residents took notice and circulated a petition that garnered more than 1000 signatures to “save the trees”.

That didn’t phase Pasadena City Council. On Monday, Oct. 23, 2016, the city stated that its decision is final.

The removal of the three ficus trees development comes on the heels of another environmental faux pas the current City Council had taken with Steve Mermell as City Manager.

Many residents who attended the City Council meeting Monday night accused the city of cozying up to the developer, Rodeo Holding, Inc., and owner of the structure adjacent to the trees. They pleaded with city officials to renegotiate a court settlement that it voluntarily signed to end a three-year lawsuit brought by the developer.

Pasadena City Manager Steve Mermell said:

…after a nearly three-year court battle in which engineering and arborist reports indicated the trees have caused damage to private property, the City entered into a settlement agreement which is enforceable by the court and obligates the City to issue tree removal permits.

Mayor Terry Tornek, and in reference to this particular case that is reminiscent of a previous environmental case, said:

We are not going back on our commitments to trees or to our urban forest. We have not backed down or made deals with developers.

How did the council vote?

Back in June 20, 2016, Pasadena City Council members voted to approve the settlement as follows:

– In Favor of the settlement:

Councilmember Gene Masuda

Councilmember Margaret McAustin

Councilmember John Kennedy

Councilmember Victor Gordo

Councilmember Steve Madison

Councilmember Andy Wilson

– Against the settlement:

Mayor Terry Tornek

Councilmember Tyron Hampton

Aftermath

Monday night, Pasadena city attorney Michelle Bagneris, after being asked by Councilmember Andy Wilson if the settlement can be altered, said:

Given the settlement agreement has been executed and is enforceable by the court, there is nothing further for the city to do.

The mature and healthy ficus trees will be replaced with three new “Chinese Pistache” trees, a drought tolerant species that is known as the “Ugly Duckling” of the tree world that eventually mature into magnificent trees.

Ironically, Pasadena has been named “Tree City USA” by Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to “urban forestry” for 21 years. Pasadena has been a Sterling City since 2009.