TiiH HINUTES OF THE 256th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSIC 6 August 1981 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman of the Commission Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman of the Commission Edward Pinkowski John Taxin John F. McCloskey, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Property Val C. Mogensen, Executive Assistant Director of Finance Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Frank Thomas, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Siemiontkowski, Architectural Historian Jefferson M. Hoak, Research Historian Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE IINUTES of the Stated iteetng ;field on 4 June 1981 were approved and directed to be filed. The Chairman and the Historian reported that no progress had been made in securing the owner's approval for the certification of the Phila- delphia Divinity School at 4201-4299 Spruce Street. The Commission agreed to refer the matter back to the Committee on Certification for a recommendation. THE REPORT of the Architectural Committee for 17 June 1981. Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman, was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. TEIE REPORT of the Architectural Committee for 15 July 1981, Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman, was reviewed. One item was discussed at length and acted upon separately. Following a discussion of the Redevelopment Authority's request for permission to demolish 246 and 248 South 8th Street to provide adequate parking for the development of the buildings adjoining to the east, a motion to impose the Commission's six month statutory delay on demolition was presented. This motion was seconded and carried. The Historical Commission did not accept the recommendation of the Architectural Committee on this matter. Although the two buildings possess only marginal significance, the Commission agreed that it should not approve demolition of any certified building for a parking area. In addition, the section per-- taining to the rehabilitation of the ground floor of 238-240 STATED ME?ET1NG 2 6 August 1981 South 8th Street was amended to include the following, - closing sentence. "If Morley Electric Company decides to maintain its retail operation at 238-40 South 8th Street, the Architectural Committee will consider the introduction of a contemporary storefront treatment on the ground flcor compatible with the original scale and character of the Victorian buildings." The remainder of the items included in the Report of the
Company decides to maintain its retail operation at 238-40 South 8th Street, the Architectural Committee will consider the introduction of a contemporary storefront treatment on the ground flcor compatible with the original scale and character of the Victorian buildings." The remainder of the items included in the Report of the Architectural Committee for 15 July 1981 were approved and the report directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. TUE REPORT of the Committee on Certification for 17 July 1981, Edward Pinkowski, Chairman. Each of the buildings recommended by the Committee on Certification was reviewed individually and acted upon separately. All of the following were approved for certification by the Commission: 2000 Arch Street 129 Bethlehem Pike - The Piper-Price House 1618-1622 Chestnut Street - WCAU Building 1818-1820 Chestnut Street - Oliver H. Bair Funeral Home 4501 Fishers Lane - Harvey Rowland House 7900-7906 Lincoln Drive, a.k.a., 225 W. Springfield Avenue 801-823 Market Street - Strawbridge and Clothier Department Store 1713-1715 Rittenhouse Street - Alfred C. Harrison Stable 5215-5239 Schuyler Street -- The Wissahickon 104-106 South 8th Street 115 `forth 15th Street - YCA Building 411 orth 20th Street - The Granary 229 South 22nd Street - John C. Bell House Chestnut Hill West Railroad Station St. Martins Railroad Station Allen Lane Railroad Station Carpenter Railroad Station Upsal Railroad Station Tulpehocken Railroad Station Queen Lane Railroad Station 4414 Ridge Avenue - Undine Barge Club, Castle Ringstettin In addition, the Commission ratified the certification of three buildings in Carstairs Row. 700 Sansom Street 730 Sansom Street 732 Sansom Street 4 STATED.) UEETING 3 6 August 1981 Ar.. `(ogensen opposed the certification of three buildings -- the WCAU Building at 1618-1622 Chestnut Street, the YMCA Building at 115 North 15th Street and the Granary at 411 North 20th Street. Finally, a motion to amend the minute concerning the Granary at 411 North 20th Street was made. The Commission directed that the word "architectural" be struck from the last sentence of the first paragraph and amended to read as follows; "In 1978, Kenneth Parker converted the structure into a aresidence for himself and the offices of Kenneth Parker Associates." Subject to this revision, the Report of the Committee on Certification for 17 July 1981 was accepted and directed to be filed with the official copy of the :Iinutes. THE REPORT on Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for the months of
for himself and the offices of Kenneth Parker Associates." Subject to this revision, the Report of the Committee on Certification for 17 July 1981 was accepted and directed to be filed with the official copy of the :Iinutes. THE REPORT on Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for the months of June and July, 1981, Richard Tyler, Historian. Following a brief up date on the Wanamaker House and the Naval Home, Mr. Tyler's report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Ainutes . 4 EW BUSINESS Clinton Street Proposal, David Stewart, Executive Director, The Philadelphia Old Tow n Historical Society, Inc. Mr. Stewart appeared before the Historical Commission to request its endorsement of the Old Town Historical Society's proposed renewal project for the Clinton Street National Register Historic District and the surrounding neighborhood. Mr. Stewart outlined for the Commission members the proposed development project. In addition to up-grading Clinton Street to National Historic Landmark status, r. Stewart explained the Society's intention to substantially renew the immediate area. Current plans call for new landscaping, the erection of an iron fence, the creation of a reflecting pool and the relocation of the Sons of _ Temperance fountain, currently in storage, in the Louis I. Kahn Park. In addition, the Society hopes to acquire the school house presently owned by Phineas Meade at 1113-25 Pine Street and restore it as a museum, art gallery and restaurant. Along Clinton Street, Stewart's group intends to restore the 900 and 1000 blocks to their original 1830's appearance with gas lights, period plantings, appropriate street furniture, etc. To protect the integrity of the street and provide security, the Society also proposes the erection of walls and iron gates at each end of Clinton Street. The street would be closed off after STATED 'IEETING 4 6 August 1931 midnight and access to it would be restricted. Following a lengthy discussion of the project, the Commission members expressed some concern over several of the proposed undertakings particularly the construction of walls and iron gates to restrict entrance to a public street. Because of the complexity of the project and some members' reserva- tions about it, the Commission agreed that no action could be taken at this time. Mr. Stewart was invited to make a more detailed presentation to the Commission at a future meeting. :4 ational Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Meeting, Richard Tyler,
complexity of the project and some members' reserva- tions about it, the Commission agreed that no action could be taken at this time. Mr. Stewart was invited to make a more detailed presentation to the Commission at a future meeting. :4 ational Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Meeting, Richard Tyler, Historian. Mr. Tyler informed the Commission of the up coming annual meeting of the National Trust and suggested that the Commission consider sending a member of its staff to represent Philadelphia and the Commission. The Trust meeting this year will be held in New Orleans, September 30 to October 3. At the suggestion of the Chairman, a motion to allocate $700.00 from the Harry A. Batten Fund to cover expenses for a staff member to attend the Trust meeting was made. This motion was seconded and carried. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiontkowski Architectural Historian /pas