MINUTES OF THE 205th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 2 December 1976 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman James S. Klein, Vice Chairman Edward Pinkowski Val Hogenson, Deputy Director, Finance Department Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Barbara Magretti, Archaeological Consultant to the Commission David Rosenblum, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Byler, Historian Fabrinda Stemlerowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES OF THE STATED MEETING, 4 November 1976. Were the question of the Commission's utilization of the certification of the buildings within the Old City Historic District was raised by Mr. Pinkowski. Mr. Pinkowski suggested using the word "nominees" rather than "certified" in the ordaining review and designation of structures in the Old City Area. Dr. Byler reported that although the buildings in the Old City Area had not been individually designated as certified structures, they were certified as a district and thus each building was being administered which the district as a certified structure. Since there is no provision in the ordinance for district designation, the greatest, at best, a legal ambiguity. To overcome this problem, the staff has prepared a staff Commission order Old City and establish certificates him within the area on sounder legal ground. Mr. Pinkowski also brought to the Commission's attention the need for the notification of the owners of the buildings being considered and the appropriateness of having all objections to certifications noted in the Commission's minutes. It was noted that all objections are included in the report of the Architectural Committee which then becomes a part of the Commission Minutes. This procedure was judged to be correct and legal by the Commission's counsel, Mr. Rosenblum. Upon the request for a clarification of notification procedure by Mr. Hogenson, Dr. Byler reported that letters are sent to the owners of buildings after they are first considered by the Commission. An objection is not received within thirty days from the mailing of the letter, the buildings are automatically certified and listed for preservation with various city departments, and with title and insurance companies. This procedure although having been adopted by the staff over the years is not required under the Commission's ordinances. MINUTES 2 2 December 1976 If an objection is received, however, the matter is brought to
certified and listed for preservation with various city departments, and with title and insurance companies. This procedure although having been adopted by the staff over the years is not required under the Commission's ordinances. MINUTES 2 2 December 1976 If an objection is received, however, the matter is brought to both the Architectural Committee for its recommendation and, finally, to the Commission for a determination. If the building is judged to be of importance to the neighborhood and if its non-certification would adversely affect the existing certified buildings in the area, the structure could be certified over the owner's objection. Following this discussion, the members voted to approve the Minutes of the Meeting for 4 November 1976 and directed that they be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 17 November 1976, Robert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission. The Commission approved the addition of two items to the report of the Architectural Committee for 17 November 1976. These are the approval of the handrails designed for the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and permission to demolish three buildings owned by the Berean Institute situate at 1926-28-30 South College Avenue. Both items were reviewed by the Architectural Committee and the Commission in accordance with standard procedure. Also discussed at this time was the proposal to provide parking below the Reading Terminal Market. Although the proposal as presented to the Architectural Committee on 17 November 1976 was reviewed and the approval in concept recommended, subsequent information required that the Commission carefully evaluate the Committee's recommendation in view of the new information required from the City Planning Commission. According to a representative of the Planning Commission, it was noted that during the construction of the center city commuter connection tunnel, two service bays to the market on Filbert Street will be closed. Presently, the Reading retains an easement to the alley where the proposed parking range will be constructed. This alley, during the construction of the tunnel, must serve the market temporarily. In view of this problem, the Planning Commission tabled the review of this proposal at its most recent meeting until a waiver to the easement is obtained. Mr. Daly's report. Upon the recommendation of Dr. Tyler, the Historical Commission voted to take no formal action until all other involved municipal agencies have reviewed and commented on the matter. In order to avoid any delay in
its most recent meeting until a waiver to the easement is obtained. Mr. Daly's report. Upon the recommendation of Dr. Tyler, the Historical Commission voted to take no formal action until all other involved municipal agencies have reviewed and commented on the matter. In order to avoid any delay in the final review of the proposal, the Commission urged to grant the staff and the Architectural Committee the authority to take action on the proposal in conformity with the decision of the City Planning Commission and other municipal agencies. The Commission also voted to table the recommendation of the Architectural Committee concerning the Bellow-Stratford Hotel. MINUTES 3 2 December 1976 Dr. Tyler reported that it was his understanding that the Bellows-Stratford would be entered into the National Register of Historic Places by the end of the month. If accepted, the building's demolition and erection of a new hotel within a specified period of time could mean a denial of tax benefits amounting to an estimated three million dollars. It was pointed out by the Historian that the various state and federal actions are outside of the Historical Commission's purview and control. With the tabling of the Reading Terminal and Bellows-Stratford Hotel items and the addition of the two items concerning the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts and the Rowan Institute, the Report of the Architectural Committee for 17 November 1976 was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Recommendations by the Staff for the Certification of Buildings, Richard Tyler, Historian. The Historical Commission was asked to consider the request of the owner of 1022 Waverly Street for that building's certification. After some discussion, it was determined that although the building might be eligible for certification as part of a total streetscape it could not be considered for certification on an individual basis. Upon the recommendation of Dr. Tyler, the Commission approved the certification of the following buildings on Hazel Avenue between Forty-fifth and Forty-seventh Streets: 4615 Hazel Avenue 4616 Hazel Avenue 4617 Hazel Avenue 4618 Hazel Avenue 4619 Hazel Avenue 4620 Hazel Avenue 4621 Hazel Avenue 4622 Hazel Avenue 4623 Hazel Avenue 4624 Hazel Avenue 4625 Hazel Avenue 4626 Hazel Avenue 4627 Hazel Avenue 4628 Hazel Avenue 4629 Hazel Avenue 4630 Hazel Avenue 4631 Hazel Avenue 4632 Hazel Avenue 4633 Hazel Avenue 4634 Hazel Avenue 4635 Hazel Avenue 4636 Hazel Avenue 4637 Hazel
4621 Hazel Avenue 4622 Hazel Avenue 4623 Hazel Avenue 4624 Hazel Avenue 4625 Hazel Avenue 4626 Hazel Avenue 4627 Hazel Avenue 4628 Hazel Avenue 4629 Hazel Avenue 4630 Hazel Avenue 4631 Hazel Avenue 4632 Hazel Avenue 4633 Hazel Avenue 4634 Hazel Avenue 4635 Hazel Avenue 4636 Hazel Avenue 4637 Hazel Avenue 4638 Hazel Avenue 4639 Hazel Avenue 4640 Hazel Avenue 4641 Hazel Avenue 4642 Hazel Avenue 4643 Hazel Avenue 4644 Hazel Avenue 4645 Hazel Avenue 4646 Hazel Avenue 4647 Hazel Avenue 4648 Hazel Avenue 4649 Hazel Avenue 4650 Hazel Avenue 4651 Hazel Avenue 4652 Hazel Avenue 4653 Hazel Avenue 4654 Hazel Avenue MINUTES 2 December 1976 Report on Historical Commission Staff Activities, Richard Tyler, Historian. Dr. Tyler's report on staff activities for the month of November was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patrieia Szimoniewski Executive Assistant to the Chairman /pss