PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION (Draft 28, 1960) DRAFT FINE PRINT APPENDIX MINUTES OF THE THIRTY-EIGHTH MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION February 23, 1960 Present were: Dr. Roy Franklin Nichols Mr. Charles E. Peterson Mr. George K. Trautwein Mr. R. Norris Williams, Acting Chairman Also present: Deputy Commissioner P.E. Wegner, Department of Licenses & Inspections Assistant Commissioner W. H. Lindsay " " " " " " " Mr. Harry O. McDowell, Deputy Director of Finance Mr. George I. Lovatt, City Architect Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Mrs. Charles J. Maurer, Executive Secretary THE MINUTES for January 26, 1960 were approved as corrected. Unless otherwise stated, all actions reported herein are taken after motions properly presented, seconded and carried. DR. TINKCOM'S REPORT on the Commission's activities and business: Dr. Tinkcom reported that Mrs. Kirkbride is examining all the old insurance policies in the Contributionship files. Copies are being made of those that relate to certified houses. Notes of all other policies are being taken. These notes in- clude date of issue or reissue; and the names of the owners. Mr. Fuller has been preparing briefs of title for special properties in various parts of the city as directed by the Commission's needs. Dr. Tinkcom talked about the work of the Commission to two groups during the past month and about "Benjamin Franklin's City" to the assembly of the Spring Garden School. She also prepared a special study of Lemon Hill, &c Mr Simon. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Fire Equipment for the Head House. In the absence of Mr. Carroll, no report was made regarding this equipment. Mr. Lovatt, however, stated that the bathroom for the Head House had been authorized and that he is at present talking with the Redevelopment Authority regarding funds for the electrical installation. Demolition by Neglect. Mr. McDowell reported that the Commission's proposed [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top right corner: handwritten notation reading "143, Mr. Simon Gratz, Marshall, Esq. for Lemon & there Members and Excellency 3 there Attorneys" Bottom left corner: handwritten mark or initials appearing as "41"] THE MINUTES -2- Feb. 23, 1960 UNFINISHED BUSINESS, continued ordinance to prevent such demolition and the recommendations of the last board meeting were sent to the Director of Finance. Mr. McConnell recommended that this proposal be presented at a cabinet meeting for cabinet decision. It was moved and seconded that the Philadelphia Historical Commission send a memorandum to the Mayor, asking his support,
demolition and the recommendations of the last board meeting were sent to the Director of Finance. Mr. McConnell recommended that this proposal be presented at a cabinet meeting for cabinet decision. It was moved and seconded that the Philadelphia Historical Commission send a memorandum to the Mayor, asking his support, in view of his interest, for such a measure. 328, 330 South Third Street. Commissioner Wegner suggested, inasmuch as the needs of the Historical Commission require different procedures from those regularly followed by the Bureau of Licenses and Inspections, that: Licenses and Inspections will require a permit for all alterations to a historical building except painting. Licenses and Inspections will issue a list of all historical buildings to all Building Inspectors who will use this in their patrol activities. Licenses and Inspections will not issue a permit until the proposed work has been approved by the Historical Commission. In this manner it should be possible to alert the Historical Commission to every alteration contemplated on each historical building. The Historical Commission will prepare the rules and guides under which it operates and submit a copy of it to Licenses and Inspections so that the public can be apprised of what may reasonably be expected of it. It was agreed that this would not only be helpful to Licenses and Inspections in doing it a job but would also be excellent public relations. Mr. Wegner would also like to have enough copies of the official list of certified buildings to send to the inspectors of the various districts. Each inspector will be supplied with a list of the certified buildings in his district and will be instructed to carry it with him as he patrols his district and report any unauthorized alterations. Building Permits. Commissioner Lindsay added several points to those mentioned by Mr. Wegner and further recommended that permits be required for any alteration to a historic building no matter how small the alteration is. This has not hitherto [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top of page: small illegible handwritten marks in upper left corner] THE MINUTES -3- Feb. 23, 1960 been the practice of Licenses and Inspections. It was the opinion of the Commission that Mr. Wegner's and Mr. Lindsay's proposals would help the Commission greatly. Further the Commission expressed its appreciation of the cooperation it has always received from Licenses and Inspections. VARIANCES The Ordinance permitting variances from the City's Building
practice of Licenses and Inspections. It was the opinion of the Commission that Mr. Wegner's and Mr. Lindsay's proposals would help the Commission greatly. Further the Commission expressed its appreciation of the cooperation it has always received from Licenses and Inspections. VARIANCES The Ordinance permitting variances from the City's Building Code when certified houses are to be restored was discussed by Mr. Wegner. He proposed that bulkheads and projecting steps be permitted if they can be justified historically, and if the Department of Streets has no objection to their intrusion on the sidewalks. Cornices and pent-eaves may be made of wood and the latter covered with wooden shingles if treated with a fire retarding compound. Winders, where they now exist, will be permitted in one-family dwellings. Mr. Wegner was of the opinion that any more generally worded ordinance would be ineffective, inasmuch as it would place too much responsibility on the official whose job it was to administer this ordinance. The Commission agreed with Mr. Wegner's view and asked him to send a copy of the proposed ordinance which the Department of Licenses and Inspections will draft to the Historical Commission so that the Commission may have an opportunity to comment on it before the ordinance is sent to City Council. NEW BUSINESS: There was no report by Dr. Nichols, Chairman, Historical Values Commission. Mr. Trautwein, Chairman of the Submission Committee, raised two questions. First whether architectural drawings for any work to be done are required by the Department of Licenses and Inspections before permits are issued for the work. The Building Code does not ordinarily require architect's drawings for work done on a dwelling, Mr. Wegner reported. (See City Building Code, Section 4-3003). Mr. Trautwein then inquired whether the Redevelopment Authority required its clients to consult an architect. Hitherto the answer has been "No", but the Authority will have an architect available for consultation with property owners after March 1. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: 1. Top left corner: circled question mark 2. Above "Submission Committee": "Architectural" crossed out with handwritten notation 3. Bottom right: "will" appears to be handwritten or marked, with partial text visible] THE MINUTES -4- Feb. 23, 1960 NEW BUSINESS, continued "Springbank", 6700 Wissahickon Avenue. The owner recently applied for a plaque for his well-known mansion. It was unanimously approved that "Springbank" be certified. Mr. Samuel Diston's letter of February 3, was read. The Executive Secretary was directed
with partial text visible] THE MINUTES -4- Feb. 23, 1960 NEW BUSINESS, continued "Springbank", 6700 Wissahickon Avenue. The owner recently applied for a plaque for his well-known mansion. It was unanimously approved that "Springbank" be certified. Mr. Samuel Diston's letter of February 3, was read. The Executive Secretary was directed to reply to the letter, reporting that the Commission is not in a position to buy or to accept any paintings. North of Market Street. The City Planning Commission's plans for this area were not discussed in detail. The Historian has assembled a list of buildings and photographs which will be circulated among the members so that the Commission can decide what structures in this area should be added to the certified list. Bronze Plaques on Dock Street. Dr. Tinkcom reported that Dr. S. K. Stevens of the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission had called the Historical Commission's attention to Mrs. Lawrence M. C. Smith's suggestion that the bronze markers removed from the buildings on Dock Street before they were demolished, be preserved until appropriate plans for reerecting the plaques in the rehabilitated area can be agreed upon. The Commission approved of this proposal. APPLICATIONS FOR PLAQUES: The following applications, listed in order of their receipt, were approved: No. 163 328 Spruce Street, Mr. Dewey Lee Curtis (this application held over from Jan.) 156 328 S. Third St. Mr. Lewis M. Robbins ( " " " ) 157 (temporarily being withheld; tentatively assigned to 330 S. Third, Robert Trump) 158 217 Delancey Street Mr. Robert Trump 159 701 Spruce Street Mr. Robert Trump 102 5208 Germantown Ave., Baynton House - Germantown Historical Society, Judge Saylo 103 5214 Germantown Ave., Doryngham-Hacker - " " 106 5226 Germantown Ave., Bechtol house - " " " 130 Fromberger House, Market Square, Germantown Fire Insurance Co. 131 6669 Germantown Ave., Schoolhouse - Lutheran Evangelical Church 160 233 Delancey Street Miss Maureen Murdoch 161 242 Delancey Street Miss Maureen Murdoch 162 314' South Philip St, Mr. Thomas B. Congdon, Jr. [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: A circled mark in the upper left corner of the page (appears to be a reviewer's mark or archival notation).] THE MINUTES -5- Feb. 23, 1960 APPLICATIONS FOR PLAQUES, continued No. 27 St. George's Greek Orthodox Church, The Rt. Rev. D.S.Katerlis, Dean 28 Parish House of St. George's Church (withheld temporarily, building not certified) 29 Gloria Dei, 929 Swanson Street - The Rev.
be a reviewer's mark or archival notation).] THE MINUTES -5- Feb. 23, 1960 APPLICATIONS FOR PLAQUES, continued No. 27 St. George's Greek Orthodox Church, The Rt. Rev. D.S.Katerlis, Dean 28 Parish House of St. George's Church (withheld temporarily, building not certified) 29 Gloria Dei, 929 Swanson Street - The Rev. John Craig Roak, D.D., Rector 30 235 South 8th Street - the Morris House - N.W. Ayer & Sons 164 330 Spruce Street Mr. Lawrence M. O. Smith 165 700 Washington Square Mr. Sidney Jenkins 166 704 Washington Square Mrs. Joseph Carson 167 706 Washington Square " " " SUBMISSIONS: 325 South Third Street. Mr. Trautwein recommended that the Commission approve the presentation for proposed restoration. 260 South Fourth Street. The doorway and cornice of this building are not in keeping with its style. The Commission requests that an architectural drawing of a more suitable cornice and doorway be submitted. 528 and 632 Spruce Street. These two old houses have been so thoroughly altered in the 1880's and '90's that it would be expensive and very difficult to restore them to their original state. For this reason the Commission recommends that nothing be done to either of them. Since the original character of each house has been destroyed it will not be possible to issue a plaque to either owner. At this point, Mr. Williams raised the question of the desirability of removing certain badly mutilated houses from the certified list. Dr. Tinkcom was asked to prepare a memorandum for the next meeting suggesting a possible procedure to be followed if the Commission should decide to adopt this policy. 342 South Third Street. The drawing submitted was unacceptable to the Commission. The architect will be asked to prepare a new plan after the stucco has been removed from the facade. Dr. Tinkcom was directed to find out from the Redevelopment Authority what their requirements for an acceptable rehabilitation of this house are. She was also directed to discuss with Mr. Albert the possibility of sending to the Commission's office a copy of each agreement made between the Redevelopment Authority and the THE MINUTES Feb. 23, 1960 -4- and the owners of properties to be rehabilitated so that the Commission will have this to guide it in its recommendations for restoration. 532 and 538 Cypress Street and 208 South Fourth Street. These three properties were held over, since the revised plans
the THE MINUTES Feb. 23, 1960 -4- and the owners of properties to be rehabilitated so that the Commission will have this to guide it in its recommendations for restoration. 532 and 538 Cypress Street and 208 South Fourth Street. These three properties were held over, since the revised plans requested last month have not yet been received. 332, 334 South Fourth Street. Mr. Peterson's letter regarding Dr. Godwin's proposal was read. The Commission agreed to refer the matter to Mr. Simon for his decision. 217 Delancey Street and 246, 248 Delancey Street. The Commission noted that approval for interior alterations providing for heating and air conditioning 217 Delancey Street had been given, as well as permission for sloping cellar doors for 246, 248 Delancey Street. Before adjournment, it was moved that the Commission send their best wishes to Mr. Simon for his speedy recovery. The Meeting was adjourned at 5:15 P. M. Respectfully submitted, Charles E. Peterson, Secretary