THE MINUTES OF THE 399th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 8 November 1995 Wayne Spilove, Chairperson City Council Caucus Chamber, Room 401 City Hall Present Wayne Spilove, Chairperson David Brownlee Duane Bumb, Commerce Department Joseph James, Department of Public Property Barbara Kaplan, City Planning Commission Arlene Matzkin Susan Rabinovitch Scott Wilds, Office of Housing and Community Development Stephanie Wolf Joshua Grimes, City Solicitor's Office Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer Jeffrey R. Barr, Historic Research Technician Also Wm. Eric Breitkreutz, University of Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Program Lorraine McVey, University of Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Program Cathleen Lambert, University of Pennsylvania Myrna and Marvin Galfand, 2037 Locust Street Bobbye Burke, Center City Residents Association (CCRA) Judith Eden, CCRA Bernard Neary, CCRA Bill Becker AIA Michael Bach, Stephen Kennerly Architects Ellen Emmons, Lutheran Church of the Holy Communion Steve Kennerly, Steven Kennerly Architects The 399th Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission was called to order at 10:15am by Wayne Spilove, Chairperson, who recognized the presence of a quorum of the Commission. THE MINUTES of the 398th Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 11 October 1995, Wayne Spilove, Chairperson, were approved by unanimous vote and adopted upon a motion made by Mr. Wilds and seconded by Dr. Brownlee. PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 399th Stated Meeting Minutes, Page 2 ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE REPORT, 31 October 1995, Arlene Matzkin, Chair 2037 LOCUST STREET Myrna and Marvin Galfand, Applicant owners PROPOSAL: Rebuilding of dangerous facade This application did not appear at the Architectural Committee meeting because an engineer's report was only received this morning; it comes before the Commission now as an emergency application. The applicant/owner seeks approval for the removal of this facade determined dangerous by the Galfand's engineer Larry Arotta. The outer wythe of brick bulges out in excess of three inches. The architect Bill Becker is drawing a plan to reproduce the look of the existing facade with some ground floor modification. The owners have expressed a willingness to salvage much of the old facade, remove the large ground floor window and replace it with two residential scale windows. A motion to approve the proposal of the Applicant to demolish the facade, to rebuild a modified replica of the existing and have the applicants work with staff in consultation with the Committee on the final design was made by Dr. Brownlee and seconded by Mr.
two residential scale windows. A motion to approve the proposal of the Applicant to demolish the facade, to rebuild a modified replica of the existing and have the applicants work with staff in consultation with the Committee on the final design was made by Dr. Brownlee and seconded by Mr. Wilds. The motion passed by unanimous vote. 1911 PANAMA STREET Katie Luber, Applicant PROPOSAL: Planter Removal Architectural Committee Recommendation: The Committee voted to recommend approval of the proposal. The applicant/owner seeks approval for the removal of a brick planter, repair of the brick sidewalk to match existing and removal of paint from brick trim. A motion to accept the recommendation of the Architectural Committee was made by Dr. Wolf and seconded by Dr. Brownlee. The motion passed by unanimous vote. 1801 VINE STREET (FAMILY COURT) Jim Karmolinski, Kelly Maiello Architects PROPOSAL: Limestone patching and cleaning Architectural Committee Recommendation: The Architectural Committee voted to recommend approval of the proposal with staff approval of a test patch and details. The Applicant sought approval of a proposal to cut out mismatched patches from the piers of the front portico. They would install rectangular patches of John Cathedral stone in their place. Areas of stained stonework would be cleaned with water and a mild cleaning agent. Dr. Brownlee moved to approve the recommendation of the PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 399th Stated Meeting Minutes, Page 3 Architectural Committee. This was seconded by Dr. Wolf and passed by unanimous vote. 112-114 N. 9TH STREET Chui and Louie Inc., Applicant PROPOSAL: Facade Renovations and Awning Architectural Committee Recommendation: The Architectural Committee recommended approval of renovations and removal of the pent eave with the condition that the applicant should work with staff on the details of the canvas awning. The applicant proposes removal of a modern pent eave and its replacement with a canvas awning in addition to third floor window restoration, ground floor alterations to a modern facade and a ramp. Dr. Wolf moved to approve the recommendation of the Committee. Scott Wilds seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. 1228-32 ARCH STREET David Woods, Contractor PROPOSAL: Roll down grates Architectural Committee Recommendation: The Committee voted to recommend approval of the roll down grates provided the housing faced inward or else to recommend side mounted scissor gates. They expressed concern that the installer minimize damage to the masonry jambs. The Applicant seeks to install security gates and
Roll down grates Architectural Committee Recommendation: The Committee voted to recommend approval of the roll down grates provided the housing faced inward or else to recommend side mounted scissor gates. They expressed concern that the installer minimize damage to the masonry jambs. The Applicant seeks to install security gates and has indicated that he can mount them with the housing facing inward. Dr. Wolf made a motion to approve the recommendation of the Architectural Committee and permit the gates with staff review of details. Dr. Brownlee seconded the motion, which passed by unanimous vote. 2121 WALNUT STREET Donna Maria Fecondo Applicant; David Feldman, Architect PROPOSAL: Legalization of facade painting and installation of new windows on Van Pelt Street Architectural Committee Recommendation: The Committee voted to recommend approval of the retention of the paint with the proviso that a clause be put in the deed allowing for historical review in the future and that the metal ornament at the parapet be stripped of paint and reattached in a manner that created symmetry and kept the same spacing of elements. The Committee also voted to allow vinyl windows on this side facade so long as the frame details of the existing wood windows could be replaced. In order to do this the Committee asked staff to look at a drawing of the proposal and photograph of the existing window to verify that they match. PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION_________________399th Stated Meeting Minutes, Page 4 Mr. Grimes, Commission Counsel, explained that the Commission could not insist on a change in the deed. David Brownlee offered that the proposed clarification of the paint review guidelines could very well allow the review of painted masonry and help solve problems such as this where masonry is painted as a measure against graffiti. The Commission asked to table the issue until next month when that policy had been reviewed and adopted. Arlene Matzkin explained that the Committee had not approved the aluminum/vinyl panning as submitted in sample form, but rather solid pieces of vinyl if matching profiles could be attained. Commission members and Mr. Grimes expressed the opinion that a sufficient application has not yet been received owing to the absence of a building permit application and a drawing of the proposed window. Bernard Neary, a Rittenhouse community member, stressed that the Architecture Committee agenda only mentioned paint and that windows were added to the discussion without proper notice.
a sufficient application has not yet been received owing to the absence of a building permit application and a drawing of the proposed window. Bernard Neary, a Rittenhouse community member, stressed that the Architecture Committee agenda only mentioned paint and that windows were added to the discussion without proper notice. Judith Eden, a community member, stressed that what the applicant writes on the application for the permit should be used as the defining guide for what the Committee and Commission reviews. Dr. Wolf made a motion to table this application until next month which was seconded by David Brownlee and approved by unanimous vote. 7402 GERMANTOWN AVENUE Harris Steinberg, Architect PROPOSAL: Rear Additions Architectural Committee Recommendation: The Committee voted to recommend approval of the proposal. The applicant seeks approval to build two rear additions, a shiftover and a one story kitchen. A storage area for trash would be built along side the house to the rear. Mr. Wilds made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Architectural Committee, seconded by Dr. Wolf. The motion passed by unanimous vote. 237-43 S. 21ST STREET Dante Luciani, Applicant PROPOSAL: Legalization of vinyl windows Architectural Committee Recommendation: The Committee voted to recommend tabling the proposal awaiting further information. The applicant/owner seeks approval for the removal of wood multipane windows and installation of vinyl windows in their place. Committee members asked for drawings and information on the historic configuration of the windows as well as what may be left of the early frames. PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 399th Stated Meeting Minutes, Page 5 A motion to accept the recommendation of the Architectural Committee was made by Dr. Brownlee and seconded by Mr. Wilds. The motion passed by unanimous vote. 226 W. WASHINGTON SQUARE Dr Luther Brady, applicant PROPOSAL: Shutters Architectural Committee Recommendation: The Committee voted to recommend approval of the proposal but not to grant a plaque since this building should almost certainly have louvered shutters on the upper floors . The applicant/owner seeks approval for installing solid panel shutters on all floors of his home. Mr. Wilds made a motion to accept the recommendation of the Architectural Committee. Dr. Brownlee seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. 1511 PINE STREET William Gianopollus, Applicant PROPOSAL: Remove illegal duct from side of building, install inside Architectural Committee Recommendation: The Committee voted to recommend approval of the proposal. In response to a violation the applicant/owner seeks
of the Architectural Committee. Dr. Brownlee seconded the motion which passed by unanimous vote. 1511 PINE STREET William Gianopollus, Applicant PROPOSAL: Remove illegal duct from side of building, install inside Architectural Committee Recommendation: The Committee voted to recommend approval of the proposal. In response to a violation the applicant/owner seeks approval for the removal of a duct from the side wall of his building which, installed without a permit and to reinstall the duct inside the building. A portion of the vent at the top would be hidden with a chimney like enclosure. A motion to accept the recommendation of the Architectural Committee was made by Dr. Wolf and seconded by Mr. Wilds. The motion passed by unanimous vote. 2108- 14 CHESTNUT STREET Michael Bach, architect PROPOSAL: New link building, ramp, and closing basement windows Architectural Committee Recommendation: The Committee voted to recommend conceptual approval of the proposal with the proviso that the ramp have a slate facing on the side and that the windows not be closed. The architect seeks approval for the demolition of a link building and its replacement with a new link. In addition the church seeks to provide access with a concrete ramp and to close off basement windows. Michael Bach explained that the church cannot afford the solutions of the Committee. In regard to the basement windows he explained that there would be drainage problems and that a wheel chair could not easily roll over a grate in the sidewalk. A motion to reject the recommendation of the Architectural PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 399th Stated Meeting Minutes, Page 6 Committee and accept the applicant's proposal was made by Mr. Wilds and seconded by Dr. Brownlee. The motion called for the architect to work with the staff on the ramp so that it will not look like a solid rough block and the blocking of the windows as to the details of the infill. The motion passed unanimously except for a nay vote by Arlene Matzkin. 1210 SPRUCE STREET As the owner was not notified of the meeting this matter was tabled for the moment. Following the Report of the Architectural Committee, Richard Tyler recommended that an Ad Hoc Committee be formed to address changes to the Rules and Regulations, both to recognize the changes made necessary by United Artists II and to define more clearly and perhaps expand the staff' discretion to review and approve
the Report of the Architectural Committee, Richard Tyler recommended that an Ad Hoc Committee be formed to address changes to the Rules and Regulations, both to recognize the changes made necessary by United Artists II and to define more clearly and perhaps expand the staff' discretion to review and approve permits. He explained the process of revision. The Rules Committee in a public meeting adopt draft rules which would later be voted on by the Commission. These would in turn be sent to the Law Department for approval, then to the Department of Records for a thirty-day period of public comment, then finally to the Administrative Board for its approval. Chairman Wayne Spilove appointed a Rules Committee consisting of himself, Bennett Levin, Arlene Matzkin and David Brownlee. A motion was made by Dr. Brownlee, seconded by Scott Wilds and approved by unanimous vote. REPORT OF STAFF ACTIVITIES, OCTOBER 1995, Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Mr. Spilove asked for any questions regarding the monthly report. There being none, he called for the reports approval. Scott Wilds made a motion to approve the report, seconded by Stephanie Wolf. The motion passed by unanimous vote. The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Randal Baron [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Signature at bottom of page: "Randal Baron" in cursive handwriting]