THE MINUTES OF THE 299th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 26 February 1986 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman Christine Washington, Vice Chairman Joan Ferreira Grace Gary Caroline Golab David Hollenberg Jason Nathan William Thompson Barbara Kaplan, Executive Director, City Planning Commission John Street, Esq., Councilman, Fifth District Dudley Sykes, Commissioner, Department of Public Property David Wismer, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Licenses and Inspections Mark MacQueen, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Patricia Siemiontkowski, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Executive Secretary Terri Koob, Clerk Steno II Also: Beverly Coleman, Deputy Mayor's Office Richard Weisford, Owner, 506 S. 5th Street Joseph S. Graci, Project Manager, Department of Public Property Mary Lou McFarland, Executive Director, Preservation Coalition of Greater Philadelphia And others Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the 298th Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 29 January 1986, F. Otto Haas, Chairman, were reviewed and unanimously approved. THE MINUTES of the Architectural Committee Meeting held on 13 February 1986, David Hollenberg, Chairman. Mr. Hollenberg reported that subsequent to the 13 February meeting, revised drawings were received for 225 Arch Street and an approval is now recommended. Mr. Hollenberg stated that a final approval is also recommended for 201- 203 S. 12th Street. Subsequent to the meeting, the Committee learned that millwork had been ordered for work approved in concept at an earlier meeting. For that reason and also owing to the fact that the changes recommended at the 13 February meeting were not meant to be mandatory, the Committee now recommends that the plans for 201-203 S. 12th Street be approved as presented at the meeting on 13 February. STATED MEETING 2 26 February 1986 Mr. Hollenberg informed the Commission that revised drawings have not been received for 2501 Christian Street, 1907 Brandywine Street or for 321 Chestnut Street. These projects are still pending. The Commission reviewed at length the submission for 2123 Green Street. Considerable discussion followed regarding the importance of ordinance enforcement. Mr. Hollenberg explained that at the time of the meeting, it was not entirely clear to the Committee that the permit application had allegedly been altered by the architect after staff approval. The Commission agreed to refer this submission back to the Architectural Com- mittee for further investigation and
enforcement. Mr. Hollenberg explained that at the time of the meeting, it was not entirely clear to the Committee that the permit application had allegedly been altered by the architect after staff approval. The Commission agreed to refer this submission back to the Architectural Com- mittee for further investigation and review. Mr. Richard Weisbord, owner of 506 S. 5th Street, addressed the Commission regarding his request to have 506 S. 5th Street removed from the Philadel- phia Register of Historic Places. Mr. Weisbord stated that he purchased this property toward the end of 1985 and was surprised at that time to learn of its historical designation. It is Mr. Weisbord's opinion that the many alterations made to the house through the years have caused it to lose any architectural integrity that it may have once possessed. Mr. Weisbord continued that he intends to renovate the ground floor storefront and would like to have this work completed as expeditiously as possible. If the building remains designated, a substantial amount of time would be lost in the preparation of architectural drawings and in the compliance with standard review procedures. According to Mr. Weisbord budget con- straints and dangerous conditions warrant the completion of this project as soon as possible. The Commission reviewed photographs of the building and agreed that the building has lost a great deal of its architectural integrity. However, the Commission voted to accept the recommendation of the Architectural Committee to retain 506 S. 5th Street on the Philadelphia Register of Historic Places in order to control renovations which might adversely impact the streetscape. To expedite this renovation project, the Commis- sion granted full authorization to the Architectural Committee to approve an acceptable sympathetic renovation thereby eliminating any delay. Ms. Colab cast a dissenting vote on this item. The Commission agreed not to act on the 2123 Green Street submission at this time but referred it back to the Architectural Committee for further investigation. The remainder of the Report of the Architectural Committee held on 13 February 1986 was approved with the inclusion of approvals for 225 Arch Street and 201-203 S. 12th Street. THE REPORT of the Meeting of the Committee on Historic Designation held 2 August 1985, Grace Gary, Chairman, Ms. Gary presented a recommendation for his- toric designation of 1010-1014 Race Street, an item still pending from the 2 August 1985 meeting. Ms. Gary explained that the
201-203 S. 12th Street. THE REPORT of the Meeting of the Committee on Historic Designation held 2 August 1985, Grace Gary, Chairman, Ms. Gary presented a recommendation for his- toric designation of 1010-1014 Race Street, an item still pending from the 2 August 1985 meeting. Ms. Gary explained that the Commission deferred its decision on 1010-1014 Race Street at its meeting of 27 November 1985 pend- ing facade easement negotiations. The owners have decided not to donate an easement on this property. Ms. Gary briefly described the historical and architectural significance of this structure, known as the Heywood Chair Factory at 1010-1014 Race Street, and Mr. Baron showed slides of it. The Commission unanimously voted to approve the designation of 1010-1014 Race Street. STATED MEETING 3 26.February 1986 THE REPORT on the Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for 15 January - 15 February 1986, Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer, was reviewed and approved for filing. Mr. Joseph S. Graci, Project Manager for the Department of Public Property, made an illustrated presentation on the current exploratory and rehabilitation work on City Hall. At this time, this project requires no formal action by the Commission. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Terri Koob Clerk Steno II