Committee on Historic Designation — Sep 3, 1986

( PHILADELPHIA HIS'IDRICAL <XlMMISSION COMMITI'EE ON HIS'IDRIC DESIGNATION 3 September 1986 The twenty-fifth meeting of the Committee on Historic Designation began at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday 3 September 1986 in the offices of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, 1313 City Hall Annex. Present: Grace Gary, Chairman of The Committee on Historic Designation David Baldinger, Deputy Director, Philadelphia City Planning Commission Janet Klein Sandra Tatman Hyman Myers Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer, Philadelphia Historical Conmission Patricia A. Siemiontkowski, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Preservation Planner NEW BUSINESS The Committee met to discuss the issue raised by Grace Gary of prioritizing and increasing the number of designations to be considered by the Commission. Ms. Gary expressed the concern that it is irrg;x>rtant to designate the most vulnerable and significant buildings first to get ahead of the wrecking ball and avoid the stance of reacting to demolition threats. The Committee recoll11lended that buildings and districts should be studied as designation priorities taking into account: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The areas of greatest significance in the city. Areas with the greatest redevelopment potential. Areas where the current density allowed by zoning exceeds that of the standing buildings. " " Classes and thematic groupings of buildings that are particularly vulnerable to demolition. Those resources that have already been researched and placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Recognizing that the Commission has only one staff member to write designations and to conduct a survey of this type, the Committee recatmended two limited inmediate objectives. The Committee asked the staff to: 1 Survey and list zoning hot spots in the city where density • DESIGNATION COMMITTEE Page 2 allowed by zoning exceeds that of the building stock. 2. Review National Register fonns to determine which ones can be used for local designation and with how much revision. There being no further business the Committee adjourned at 12:30 p.m. Randal Baron Preservation Planner ·, ?~~225~~~