THE MINUTES OF THE 259th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 3 December 1981 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman of the Commission Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman of the Commission Edward Pinkowski John Taxin John F. McCloskey, Jr., Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Property Val C. Mogensen, Executive Assistant Director of Finance Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Frank Thomas, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Siemiontkowski, Architectural Historian Jefferson Moak, Research Historian Sara Reiter, Student Intern, Great Lakes College Association Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. The Minutes of the Stated Meeting held on 5 November 1981 were approved and directed to be filed. The Report of the Architectural Committee for 18 November 1981, Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman, was reviewed, approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. The Report of the Committee on Certification for 17 November 1981, Edward Pinkowski, Chairman. The Commission members were informed of the addition of a new member to the Committee on Certification. Mr. David Baldinger, appointed to fill the position of Chief of Area Planning for the City Planning Commission, will now serve as the Planning Commission's representative on the Committee. Under Old Business, the Commission members considered SEPTA's refusal to accept the certification of the Pennsylvania Railroad Station along the Chestnut West Hill Viaduct Line. Following some discussion, the Commission agreed to withhold action on these stations at this time. The staff was directed to reply to SEPTA's letter of 10 August 1981 refusing certification and requesting information on the Commission's certification standards and the rationale for certification of the stations. STATED MEETING 2 3 December 1981 Also under Old Business, the following buildings were considered individually and a motion to strike each from the Commission's list of certified buildings was made: 1102 Manning Street 1104 Manning Street 1106 Manning Street The following two buildings were considered individually and approved for ratification: 411 Spruce Street 413 Spruce Street The Commission members voted also to decertify 129 South 18th Street and to certify 131 South 18th Street and add it to the Commission's list. During the course of the Commission's review of New Business covered in the Report on Certification, some concern was expressed regarding the content of the report. Mr. Mogensen asked
also to decertify 129 South 18th Street and to certify 131 South 18th Street and add it to the Commission's list. During the course of the Commission's review of New Business covered in the Report on Certification, some concern was expressed regarding the content of the report. Mr. Mogensen asked that the Committee Report provide the Commission members with a clear justification and explanation of the Committee's recommendations. As a result, a motion to table all New Business contained in the Certification Report was made. In the meanwhile, a fuller report will be prepared and distributed to the Commission members before the 7 January 1982 meeting. The Report on Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities, November, 1981, Richard Tyler, Historian. Mr. Tyler's Report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. NEW BUSINESS "Preservation Perspectives: 1982" - brochure publication. Mr. Tyler reported on the completion of the text of a brochure to accompany the Historical Commission's planned exhibit "Preserva- tion Perspectives: 1982." The exhibit will run from 7 March 1982 until 18 April 1982 at the Free Library on Logan Square and be accompanied by four Sunday afternoon lecture programs. To cover the cost of the brochure's publication, the Historian asked the Commission to consider the appropriation of $600.00 from the Harry A. Batten Memorial Fund. Following a brief discussion, the Commission voted to approve the expenditure of $600.00 to cover the cost of the brochure. STATED MEETING 3 3 December 1981 Preservation Law Reporter - subscription. The Historian introduced to the Commission members the National Trust's new periodical, Preservation Law Reporter, and recommended the advisability of subscribing to it. The Reporter can provide the Commission and its staff with an up-date on new legislation, current litigation and other matters of significant concern to preservationists. After some discussion, the Commission approved the expenditure of money from the Harry A. Batten Fund to cover a single year subscription. Although a legitimate operating budget expenditure, the cost of a subscription could not be sustained by the Commission's meager allowance for such items. If found to be an essential periodical, Mr. Mogensen suggested that the Commission staff petition an increase in its operating budget next year to cover the cost of the subscription. Fairmount Park Demolition Proposals, Richard Tyler, Historian. Mr. Tyler reported to the Commission his recent review of a list of fifty-four structures scheduled for demolition
essential periodical, Mr. Mogensen suggested that the Commission staff petition an increase in its operating budget next year to cover the cost of the subscription. Fairmount Park Demolition Proposals, Richard Tyler, Historian. Mr. Tyler reported to the Commission his recent review of a list of fifty-four structures scheduled for demolition by the Fairmount Park Commission. Of the fifty-four structures listed, nine buildings are historically certified. These include Blue Bell Tavern at 7303 Woodland Avenue, the former 94th District Guard House at Old York Road and Lycoming Street, the workers' cottages of Whitaker Mills at 5101-05 and 5105 Tabor Road, the Sedgley Guard House, the Tom Moore Cottage, Arnest at 33rd Street and Susquehanna Avenue, The Cliffs in East Park, Buttercup Barn and Wakefield at 16th and Lindley Street. The Historian explained that while only nine of the buildings are certified, others may possess some historical and/or architectural significance and are in the process of being evaluated by the staff. For some buildings, community groups have expressed an interest in acquisition, repair and re-use. For others, particularly those situated along the City's major arterials, the Park Commission should be urged to consider the sale of the buildings or their long term lease. Still others require yet different solutions to insure their preservation. While some buildings deserve special consideration and further study, many of the structures listed are insignificant and their demolition should not be hampered. Following considerable discussion of this matter, the Historian asked the Commission for authorization to prepare a list of recommendations and alternative solutions to demolition for presentation to the Fairmount Park Commission at its committee meeting of 9 December 1981. At this time, Mr. Pinkowski asked STATED MEETING 4 3 December 1981 the Chairman to appoint an ad hoc committee of the Commission to work with the staff on this matter. A motion to this effect was made, seconded and carried. It was further agreed that the Historian should represent the Commission at the 9 December 1981 committee meeting of the Fairmount Park Commission. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemontkowski Architectural Historian