MINUTES OF THE 2l,1st STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1 November 1979 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman of the Commission Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman of the Commission John B. Kelly, Jr., Councilman-at-Large Edward Pinkowski John Taxin Val C. Mogensen, Executive Assistant Director of Finance Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Siedlentkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Marion M. Carroll, Architectural Historian Jefferson Moak, Historical Research Technician Guests: Elizabeth Hints, Director of the Historic Sites Survey Eleanor Gassenway, Assistant to the Director of the Historic Sites Survey Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. The Minutes of the Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 11 October 1979 were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 17 October 1979 was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Report on Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for the month of October, Richard Tyler, Historian. The Commission's Historian elaborated briefly on a proposal, suggested by Martin Biddle of the University Museum, for an archaeological survey of the City of Philadelphia similar to that undertaken in London. Such a survey would serve to identify significant archaeological sites in the city and provide a basis upon which potential development areas might be evaluated expeditiously. In terms of planning, such a survey potentially could save the city time and money in the implementation of development projects and assist the city in its compliance with the Historic and Archaeological Preservation Act of 1974. Mr. Tyler reported that a meeting with city representatives would be held at the end of the month to discuss the pragmatic benefits of such a predictive study. 241st STATED MEETING 2 1 November 1979 OLD BUSINESS The City Planning Commission's Historic Sites Survey. Elizabeth Mints, Director of the Historic Sites Survey and her assistant, Eleanor Geensway, appeared before the Historical Commission to report on the present status of the Philadelphia County survey. Over the past year contracts have been signed and work is progressing steadily in two areas of the city. Under the direction of LaSalle College, the Northwest section of Philadelphia is currently being surveyed. The initial results of LaSalle's work in this area have come into the Commission office and are now in
year contracts have been signed and work is progressing steadily in two areas of the city. Under the direction of LaSalle College, the Northwest section of Philadelphia is currently being surveyed. The initial results of LaSalle's work in this area have come into the Commission office and are now in the process of being evaluated. In South Philadelphia, the contractor has nearly completed the preliminary research report and is expected to begin doing street surveys shortly. Additional areas to be surveyed this year include Center City, West Philadelphia and Northeast Philadelphia. Although work in these areas is expected to begin this year, completion of the survey is several years away. Following a brief session of questions and answers, the Chairman thanked Ms. Mints and her assistant for their report on this project. At the request of the Chairman, the Historian spoke to the Commission concerning the issue of certification. Mr. Tyler reported that a sufficient number of applications had been received recently to warrant a meeting of the Committee on Certification. It was agreed that the Committee would meet in November and report its findings to the Commission at its next Stated Meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiontkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman PS:mk