THE MINUTES OF THE 265th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 2 September 1982 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman of the Commission Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman of the Commission Edward Pinkowski John Tazim Joseph W. Brown, Commissioner, Department of Public Property Val C. Mogensen, Executive Assistant Director of Finance Herbert U. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Siemienikowski, Architectural Historian Various persons and representatives of organizations concerned with the properties 1631-1633 Locust Street and 1635-1637 Locust Street, a.k.a. 235 South 17th Street. Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. OLD BUSINESS 1631-1633 Locust Street and 1635-1637 Locust Street, a.k.a. 235 South 17th Street. At the suggestion of the Chairman, the Commission agreed to re-order its agenda and to consider the matter of 1631-1633 Locust Street and 1635-1637 Locust Street before attending to its routine business. The Historian reviewed briefly the significance of the properties, 1631-1633 Locust Street and 1635-1637 Locust Street, the action taken by the Commission on 1 July 1982, and subsequent developments. On 1 July 1982 the Philadelphia Historical Commission voted to certify 1629 Locust Street, 1631-1633 Locust Street, 1635-1637 Locust Street and 1630 Locust Street. Following the Commission's action of 1 July, a letter of notification was sent to the owner of record for each building certified. The Emergency Aid Society responded positively to the Commission's certification of its building at 1629 Locust Street. Bell and Howell, counsel for Bell and Howell and for Richard Dilsheimer, and Robert and Manny Taslinger responded in opposition to the certification of 1631-1633 Locust Street and 1635-1637 Locust Street. No response was received from the owner of 1630 Locust Street. STATED MEETING 2 2 September 1982 On 19 August 1982, the Department of Licenses and Inspections issued demolition permits for 1631-1633 Locust Street and 1635-1637 Locust Street without consulting the Historical Commission. These permits were revoked by letter of 25 August 1982 by the Department of Licenses and Inspections under Section 6-106 of the Philadelphia Building Code and the applications referred to the Historical Commission as prescribed under Section 14-2007 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code. Following Mr. Tyler's account, the owners of 1631-1633 Locust Street and 1635-1637 Locust Street and their representatives were invited to speak. John W. Fischer, Esq., counsel for the equitable owner of 1631-1633 Locust Street and
referred to the Historical Commission as prescribed under Section 14-2007 of the Philadelphia Zoning Code. Following Mr. Tyler's account, the owners of 1631-1633 Locust Street and 1635-1637 Locust Street and their representatives were invited to speak. John W. Fischer, Esq., counsel for the equitable owner of 1631-1633 Locust Street and 1635-1637 Locust Street under Agreement of Sale respectively dated 7 May 1982 and 27 May 1982, distributed copies of a letter dated 2 September 1982 to the Commission members. In his statement to the Commission, Mr. Fischer further elaborated upon his client's standing on this matter. A copy of the 2 September 1982 letter was accepted by the Commission as part of the official Minute of the meeting and is appended. Richard B. Laden, attorney for Ball and Howell Company, next testified in his client's behalf. Mr. Laden also distributed to the Commission members copies of a letter dated 2 September 1982. This letter, too, was accepted as part of the official Minute of the Stated Meeting; a copy is attached. Both Mr. Fischer and Mr. Laden asked that their clients' objection to certification be considered if the Commission action of 1 July does not constitute a final certification of the properties. If that action by the Commission does not represent the formal designation of the buildings, Messrs. Fischer and Laden requested decertification of the properties. Robert Taplinger, owner of 1631-1633 Locust Street, next testified regarding the condition of the building, its economic viability and his interest as a private property owner. Following Mr. Taplinger's statement, the Chairman asked if anyone present wished to speak in favor of the certification and preservation of the 17th and Locust Street buildings. Perrin Hamilton of Nattura, Willers, Hamilton and Putnam spoke for his immediate clients, the Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania and the Center City Residents Association. Mr. BOARD MEETING 5 7 October 1987 Item: Lion Slide realized to behalf of sundry individual parties, including the National Society of Colonial Dames, was abutment parameter of Exhibition at the Victorian Society in mid- Chester, the Perelman Institute, the Civic City Foundation and others. A total of 30 persons attended the Commission's meeting that many of them supported the restoration of the Seroco building. In addition, a statement in opposition to the proposed development at the Fish and Locust Street site signed by 98 members of St. Mark's Church was presented to the Commission. Two houseguests
of 30 persons attended the Commission's meeting that many of them supported the restoration of the Seroco building. In addition, a statement in opposition to the proposed development at the Fish and Locust Street site signed by 98 members of St. Mark's Church was presented to the Commission. Two houseguests indicated their support of the proposed new development. Mr. Basilico urged the Commission to continue in efforts to preserve 1621-1623 Locust Street and 1830-1832 Locust Street on the basis of their historical and architectural importance to the City of Philadelphia. Otto Sperry, speaking as President of the Camac Park Foundation, addressed the individual cards of each of the buildings and their significance constitution to the integrity of the Rittenhouse Square neighborhood. Finally, Christopher Steinberg, as attorney for the proponents of a residential and hotel project at Locust and Pine, in the neighborhood, offered preliminary comments. Mr Steinberg previewed opinion that the approved certification of the proponents does not constitute a legal binding arrangement by any civic opposition, but existed offered only an opportunity for dialogue between the parties. The Chairman invited those present for attending the meeting and presenting their views to the Commission. There being no further business, the President introduced to the Commission that a fellow's regular procedure and later the issuance of certification and demolition to the Propertius proposals. Mr. Mitnick offered the position in using the Order's motions to waoge certification to the Committee on Certification and to refer the demolition panels application to the Architectural Committee on Certification will meet on 15 September 1987 at 2:30 p.m.; the Architectural Committee will meet on 15 September 1987 at 3:30 p.m. In accordance resulting from these Committee meetings will be presented to the Historical Commission for its consideration at the Full Board Meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 7 October 1987, at 3:30 p.m. 3. S. Hurst House, 22nd Street and Grey's Ferry Avenue. The Commission welcomed for the Commission's information a copy of the preliminary site plan for the proposed development of be STATED MEETING & 2 September 1982 Naval Home complex. This plan calls for the preservation of the Strickland buildings, the lawn in front of the Strickland buildings, the perimeter walls and the guardhouses. New town- house development will fill the remainder of the site including the area now occupied by Laving Hall, a mid-nineteenth century structure designed by John McArthur, Jr. While the proposed development
of the Strickland buildings, the lawn in front of the Strickland buildings, the perimeter walls and the guardhouses. New town- house development will fill the remainder of the site including the area now occupied by Laving Hall, a mid-nineteenth century structure designed by John McArthur, Jr. While the proposed development of the Naval Home property requires no action by the Commission under its enabling legis- lation, the Historian asked the Commission to consider the propriety of an endorsement of the plan. Following some discussion, the Commission asked the Historian to secure additional information from the developer concerning the im- plementation of the plan. Action was tabled pending the receipt of this data. MINUTES AND REPORTS The Minutes of the Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 1 July 1982 were reviewed, approved and directed to be filed. The Report of the Architectural Committee for 21 July 1982 was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. The Report of the Architectural Committee for 19 August 1982 was reviewed and amended. On page 3 the minute regarding 210 S. Quince Street was amended to read as follows: "The proposed work includes the installation of a new lead coated copper roof and the closing on one large window and three home small windows at the rear of the building." Subject to this amendment, the report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. The Historian's Report on Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for July and August was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. NEW BUSINESS Hardwood Trust for Historic Preservation Annual Meeting. Members of the Commission voted to approve the expenditure of in $ $700.00 from the Harry A. Batten Fund to allow the Commission's Architectural Historian to attend this year's meeting in Louisville, Kentucky. The National Trust will meet from 7 through 10 October. In addition, the Chairman generously offered to send the Commission's Historian, as well, and to cover his expenses. Mr. Mccamean abstained from voting on this matter. STATED MEETING 5 2 September 1982 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Simiontowski Architectural Historian Attachments: Letter of 2 September 1982 from Richard B. Laden re 1635-1637 Locust Street, a.k.a., 235 South 17th Street. Letter of 2 September 1982 from John W. Pinsker
MEETING 5 2 September 1982 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Simiontowski Architectural Historian Attachments: Letter of 2 September 1982 from Richard B. Laden re 1635-1637 Locust Street, a.k.a., 235 South 17th Street. Letter of 2 September 1982 from John W. Pinsker re 1631-1633 Locust Street and 1635-1637 Locust Street, a.k.a., 235 South 17th Street.