MINUTES OF THE 277th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 2 February 1984 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: Janet S. Klein, Vice-Chairman Allen J. Beckman, Esq. Warren Eisenberg, Procurement Commissioner (representing the Director of Finance) Edward Pinkowski Dudley Sykes, Commissioner, Department of Public Property Kenneth Cooper, Esq., Deputy City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historian Jefferson M. Moak, Executive Secretary Also: Several observers from the University of Pennsylvania's Historic Preservation Program Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. The Vice-Chairman welcomed Commissioners Eisenberg and Sykes to the Commission. THE MINUTES of the 276th Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, 5 January 1984, were reviewed. Mr. Pinkowski moved to amend the certifications of Boat House Row (page 4) to indicate that the existing exterior lighting on the various houses formed part of their architectural character when certified and any modifications to the lighting should be reviewed by the Commission in the same manner as any structural alterations. The motion to amend was carried and the Minutes of the 276th Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission for 5 January 1984 as amended were approved and directed to be filed. THE REPORT of the Architectural Committee for 18 January 1984, Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman, Architectural Advisor to the Commission. In the absence of Mr. Levy, the Historian presented the report, which the Commission reviewed. On page 2, the minute relating to the proposed demolition of 232-236 Quarry Street, a.k.a. 126-134 Bread Street, a.k.a. 233-241 Cherry Street was explained in detail, the Historian reciting the history and circumstances surrounding the demolition request. Photographs of the buildings were passed around to the Commission members. Mr. Pinkowski inquired about a discrepancy between the addresses on the photographs and the demolition permit. The Vice-Chairman directed the staff to investigate this matter. Mr. Cooper asked that the Department of Licenses and Inspections be apprised of the Commission's imposition of the six-month delay provided by ordinance. The Report for 18 January 1984 was then approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Minutes of the 277th Stated Meeting 2 February 1984 p. 2 THE REPORT of the Committee on Certification for 8 December 1983, Edward Pinkowski, Chairman For the benefit of the new Commission members, the Vice-Chairman and Historian explained the history and purposes of this Committee. The Commission then
the Minutes. Minutes of the 277th Stated Meeting 2 February 1984 p. 2 THE REPORT of the Committee on Certification for 8 December 1983, Edward Pinkowski, Chairman For the benefit of the new Commission members, the Vice-Chairman and Historian explained the history and purposes of this Committee. The Commission then reviewed and approved the remainder of the 8 December 1983 Report, granting certification to the following buildings: 1849 N. Broad Street: The Baptist Temple 1515 Christian Street: Julian F. Abele Residence 1001-1025 Filbert Street: The Harrison Building 1922 Spruce Street: Francis W. Kennedy Residence 5820-5824 Germantown Avenue: The YWCA of Germantown 1608-1614 Walnut Street: Sun Oil Building The Commission refused certification to the following: 1640-1666 Callowhill Street: The Harrington Machine Shop (Mr. Beckman abstained) 323 Cypress Street 1329 N. 23rd Street The buildings at 4510 Frankford Avenue, 5028 and 5030 Griscom Street, and 2024 Locust Street were tabled for receipt of additional information by the Committee on Certification. Commissioner Eisenberg abstained from voting on the Report. Mr. Pinkowski inquired whether the staff had had the opportunity to review the neighborhood surrounding the Griscom Street properties as requested by the Committee on Certification. A negative reply was given. THE REPORT on the Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for January 1984, Richard Tyler, Historian. While the Commission members reviewed the Report, the Vice-Chairman added that the new director of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Grace Gary, had accepted an invitation to attend the April 1984 meeting of the Commission. Commissioner Sykes then voiced some questions regarding the proposed grant from the State Bureau for Historic Preservation and, consequently, the proposed new ordinance for the Commission, both of which were discussed briefly in the Report. The Historian pointed out that as both items were slated on the Agenda under Old and New Business, he would enlarge upon them at that time. The Commission then approved the Report and directed it to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS Revision of the Philadelphia Historical Commission Ordinance The Historian reviewed with the members the desirability of enacting a new ordinance that addressed the many changes in historic preservation procedures, theory and law since the creation of the Commission in 1955 Minutes of the 277th Stated Meeting 2 February 1984 p. 3 and that conformed to federal standards. He reported that Mayor Goode had a copy
of enacting a new ordinance that addressed the many changes in historic preservation procedures, theory and law since the creation of the Commission in 1955 Minutes of the 277th Stated Meeting 2 February 1984 p. 3 and that conformed to federal standards. He reported that Mayor Goode had a copy of a draft ordinance and that Theodore Hershberg of the Mayor's staff had discussed its provisions with the Historian. Mr. Tyler elaborated upon this with the Commission which then considered various implications of the authority proposed in the current draft. The Vice-Chairman suggested that the Ordinance Committee shoul reconvene and bring a report to the Commission, and asked Commissioner Sykes to serve on the Committee to succeed Mr. Mogensen. NEW BUSINESS The Harry A. Batten Memorial Fund The Historian explained the function of this fund and recounted how the small appropriations in the Commission's budget in recent years had failed to cover expenses and had forced the Commission to reassess its priorities in memberships and the purchase of new materials. He also mentioned the loss, probably through theft, of several reference books from the Commission library in recent months. He then requested the Commission to authorize the expenditure of $ 140.00 for two reference books to replace missing copies, to acquire volume II of the new edition of the Penn Papers, and to renew memberships and/or subscriptions in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, the Association of Preservation Technology and the Old-House Journal. The Commission agreed to this request. Standards of Conduct and Ethics The City has added a new section to its Standards of Conduct and Ethics requiring financial statements from members of boards and commissions. Copies of the ordinance detailing this section were distributed to the members. Bureau for Historic Preservation Grant Application The Historian reported to the Commission on the availability of grants to local government preservation commissions from the Pennsylvania Bureau for Historic Preservation. To qualify, a local government must have an ordinance in compliance with federal standards or in the process of securing such legislation. Eligible expenditures under this program include survey work, the identification of historic districts, the preparation of National Register nominations, planning studies, educational studies, work in activating a certified local ordinance, and the like. The Commission could receive as much as $ 15,000 in the current federal fiscal year provided that the City at least begin the process of enacting a certifiable
historic districts, the preparation of National Register nominations, planning studies, educational studies, work in activating a certified local ordinance, and the like. The Commission could receive as much as $ 15,000 in the current federal fiscal year provided that the City at least begin the process of enacting a certifiable ordinance; discussion in the Mayor's Cabinet could satisfy this requirement. The Historian reported that the staff agreed upon the computerization of the Commission's files with a system compatible with the Bureau's. However, since the State grant would not cover the equipment and software, he suggested that an application be made to a foundation for these items and that the grant money be expended on the personnel necessary to implement the program. Minutes of the 277th Stated Meeting 2 February 1984 p. 4 Commissioner Sykes warned the Commission that Mayor Goode wanted to centralize all grant requests to foundations in his office and offered to take up the matter with the Mayor. After further discussion, the Commission authorized the Historian to apply for the State grant. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:55 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Jefferson M. Moak Executive Secretary