MINUTES OF THE 231st STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 7 December 1978 P. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: P. Otto Haas, Chairman of the Commission Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman of the Commission Mrs. James O. Grunloh, Jr. John Tarin Val Hogensen, Executive Assistant Director of Finance Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission David Rosenblum, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Sieratkkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Also : Tom Hine, reporter for THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER Ronald Miller, owner of 137 Elfreth's Alley. Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting held 2 November 1978 were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 15 November 1978 was reviewed by the Commission and approved subject to the deferral of action on the requests for plaques for 432 Lombard Street, 900 Waverly Street and 137 Elfreth's Alley. A decision on the awarding of plaques to 432 Lombard Street and 900 Waverly Street was tabled pending a report from Mr. Bartley and the Commission staff respectively. The Commission members briefly discussed the request of the owner of 137 Elfreth's Alley, Ronald E. Miller, for permission to purchase a Historical Commission plaque to replace the one recently stolen from his property. Present at the meeting, Mr. Miller distributed a statement of his position and appealed the recommendation of the Commission's Architectural Committee on 15 November 1978. Owing to the current condition of the house, the Committee suggested that the Commission deny Mr. Miller's application until he completed the restoration of the MINUTES 2 7 December 1978 REPORTS facade and roof of the building. The Commission members voted to refer the matter to the Architectural Committees for additional consideration and asked David Rosenblum, the Commission's legal counsel, to meet with the Committee members to advise them on the legal implications of the problem. In addition, the Commission members asked the Historian to bring the matter of the issuance of plaques and the lack of procedures for the monitoring and recall of those displayed on ineligible buildings to the attention of the Committee on Certification. The Committee will be asked to study Commission policy concerning plaques and to report its findings to the Commission. It was reported to the members of the Commission that Mr. Bartley, a member
monitoring and recall of those displayed on ineligible buildings to the attention of the Committee on Certification. The Committee will be asked to study Commission policy concerning plaques and to report its findings to the Commission. It was reported to the members of the Commission that Mr. Bartley, a member of the Committee, had inspected the building located at 630 South American Street and found it eligible for receipt of a Commission plaque. The Commission voted to accept Mr. Bartley's recommendation. Finally, a formal motion was made to accept the recommendation of the Architectural Committee to certify the Provident Bank located at Sixth and Spring Garden Streets despite the bank's reservations. This motion was seconded and carried. The Historian was directed to prepare a letter for the Chairman's signature advising the bank of the Commission's action. Recommendations by the Staff for the Certification of Buildings, Richard Tyler, Historian. There were no recommendations for certification this month. Report on Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for the month of November, Richard Tyler, Historian. Dr. Tyler's report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. NEW BUSINESS Upon the reaccommendation of the Vice-Chairman, the Commission voted to ask the Committee on Certification to review all the known buildings designed by Frank Furness and to make recommendations for the certification of those deemed to be of historical and/or architectural interest. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemionkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairmen PSmk