MINUTES OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 24 April 1973 Present: Mr. Henry J. Magaziner, A.I.A., Chairman, Architectural Advisor to the Commission Mr. Erling H. Pedersen, A.I.A., Old Philadelphia Development Corporation Mr. Louis Kremer, A.I.A., Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority Dr. Margaret B. Tinkcom, Historian Patrizia Siemiekowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Also: Mr. Richard Herslcovits, Architect, to present his proposal for alterations to 901 Clinton Street. SUBMISSIONS 241 Queen Street, William Mahoney, Contractor. The Committee will approve the work as presented but it should be understood that this cannot be considered a full restoration and that the building will not be eligible for a plaque. The Committee strongly suggested that the arch head doorway be restored and that wooden sills under the windows and soldier brick courses above them be replaced. Shutters should be operable and a proper door hung. 120 Delancer Street, C. Massara, Architect. The architect's design for interior and rear alterations to this historically certified building is approved. It is hoped that the complete restoration of the front facade of this building can be accomplished with the addition of a proper fanlight and shutters. 541 Pine Street, J & B Associates, Developers. The Committee agreed to permit the developer to begin demolition of the rear back building but will require a resubmission for the restoration of the main structure. After further study of the proposed plans it was noted that the doorway should have a wide arch with sidelights and that solid shutters should be hung on the first and second floors, and lowered shutters on the third. 825 Walnut Street, Ewing, Cole, Erdman & Eubank. The plan for minor interior alterations is approved. 440 Spruce Street, William Saxon, Designer. The Committee noted an inconsistency in the proposed period of restoration and voted to give the owner the option of restoring this structure to either its early period or to the later Greek Revival period. It is strongly recommended that the Redevelopment Authority be consulted to determine if all the proposed alterations meet building code requirements and that the Commission's files be consulted before a resubmission is attempted. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 24 April 1973 SUBMISSIONS (cont'd) 705 Pine Street, John P. Lloyd, Architect. As noted in the Commission's file, glass sizes for the windows on three sides of the building are as follows: 12 x 22 on the first floor, 11 x 20 on the
resubmission is attempted. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 24 April 1973 SUBMISSIONS (cont'd) 705 Pine Street, John P. Lloyd, Architect. As noted in the Commission's file, glass sizes for the windows on three sides of the building are as follows: 12 x 22 on the first floor, 11 x 20 on the second floor, and 11 x 11 on the third floor. If these dimensions are followed the sash will be in current proportion and the Committee's approval will be forthcoming. 717 Pine Street, John P. Lloyd, Architect. Again, glass sizes should be verified. Curb cuts on DeLancey Street were questioned. 115 North Van Pelt Street. The owner's request to alter the rear of this building will be allowed. The Department of Licenses and Inspections to rule on this. RESUBMISSIONS 129-31 Lombard Street, Van Arkel & Moss, Inc. The developer's request to restore the facades of these two buildings as per drawings approved by this Commission in 1969 was granted. The cove cornice is to start above the upper window frames. Bellaire, John McIlhenny. Since the brick walkway is existing, the Committee will allow its retention. Approval for the installation of a fence surrounding the property cannot be given until a detailed drawing of the fence is submitted for review. It is recommended that this not be done until the Park is prepared to erect the fence. PROBLEMS 901 Clinton Street. The staff reported to the Committee the illegal removal of the cornice, stone frontispiece, and door from the house. Since the work was done without a building permit, the Committee voted to require the owner to replace all components which were removed and destroyed. After reaching a decision on this matter, the architect, Mr. Richard Herakowitz, was asked to present his proposals for the building's alteration. Mr. Herakowitz agreed to the Committee's requirements to duplicate the cornices which had been removed as well as the door and frontispiece. The Committee agreed that the frontispiece need not be of marble but that cast marble would suffice. Details of the cornices, door, shutters, and frontispiece, will be supplied the architect. 716 South Second Street. The Committee agreed to permit the owner to reduce the size of the two store front windows on this certified building. Since the entire facade is twentieth century and entirely inappropriate, the usual requirement of an architectural drawing was waived. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 3 24 April 1973 PROBLEMS 128 W.Queen
Street. The Committee agreed to permit the owner to reduce the size of the two store front windows on this certified building. Since the entire facade is twentieth century and entirely inappropriate, the usual requirement of an architectural drawing was waived. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 3 24 April 1973 PROBLEMS 128 W.Queen Lane. The owner's request for a clarification on the alterations needed to make her house eligible for a plaque, once again, brought before the Committee. It was Mr. Magasiner's opinion that if the existing door were replaced with one of the proper period and style, a plaque could be awarded. 510 Woodland Terrace. The Committee refused to approve the application for a building permit, brought to the Commission as a result of a violation, to replace all windows at the second floor level of this house. The work was done illegally without the Commission's approval and aluminum sash have been installed. Smith's Alley. The architect's request for permission to stucco the fronts of those small buildings was referred to the Redevelopment Authority for action since these buildings are not historically certified. 854 South Front Street. The owner's request to secure his building against the weather by making repairs to the front facade was discussed. The Committee agreed to allow these alterations in view of the fact that here, again, the changes would be made to an inappropriate facade of comparatively recent vintage. DEMOLITIONS All demolition requests by the Redevelopment Authority were tabled until the Committee is informed of plans for the area subsequent to these demolitions. 504 South Fifth Street. The Committee reaffirmed the Board's decision, made on 5 April 1973, to permit the demolition of this structure due to its dangerous condition. PLAQUES 337 South Twelfth Street. Approved. 2012 Delancey Street. Approved. 742 Lombard Street. This request for a plaque was not approved. The Committee members agreed that because of the increasing number of matters on the agenda, either a longer meeting each month or two separate meetings would be necessary to complete the necessary business. Both Mr. Pedersen and Mr. Kramer were willing to come twice a month; Mr. Magasiner, however, was unwilling to agree in view of his other commitments. The Chairman did agree to a longer meeting day each month instead. Also to expedite matters, the staff was given permission ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 4 24 April 1973 to approve building permit applications - at their discretion -
Mr. Magasiner, however, was unwilling to agree in view of his other commitments. The Chairman did agree to a longer meeting day each month instead. Also to expedite matters, the staff was given permission ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 4 24 April 1973 to approve building permit applications - at their discretion - for minor exterior alterations when, as in the case of 894 South Front Street, these would be made to an incorrect facades which would have first to be removed if any real restoration were contemplated. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:05 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiatkowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman