THE MINUTES OF THE 320th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 13 April 1988 Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman Present: Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman David Brownlee David Hollenberg Jason Nathan William Thompson Benjamin F. Ellis, Commissioner, Department of Public Property Barbara Kaplan, Executive Director, Philadelphia City Planning Commission David Wismer, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Licenses and Inspections Maria Petrillo, Esq., Chief Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Patricia Siemiontkowski, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Preservation Planner Sally Elk, Historic Research Technician Maureen Heaney, Clerk Stenographer I Also: Grace Gary, Executive Director, Preservation Fund of Pennsylvania Rebecca Trumbull, Preservation Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Thomas Hine, Reporter for The Philadelphia Inquirer And others. STATED MEETING 2 21 April 1988 NEW BUSINESS Grace Gary, Executive Director, Preservation Fund of Pennsylvania, made a presentation to the Commission on the National Register of Historic Places and the Section 106 Review Process under the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended. This fulfills the requirement for Commission and Staff training mandated under the Certified Local Government program. THE MINUTES of the 319th Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 9 March 1988, Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman were reviewed and approved. THE REPORT of the Architectural Committee Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 31 March 1988, David Hollenberg, Chairman. Mr. Hollenberg divided the report into four sections. The first section includes the following submissions for which the Committee recommended approval: 1435 Walnut Street, The Philadelphia Zoo, 7 N. 3rd Street, 1329-1331 Buttonwood Street, Friends Hospital and 20th & Arch Streets. Following some discussion of the proposed demolition of the service station at 20th & Arch Streets, it was agreed that the minute should be revised to reflect Linpro's agreement to continue its efforts to preserve the building by relocating it. If Linpro's good faith efforts fail in this respect, the Commission agreed to permit the demolition to proceed. David Wismer recommended a conditioning of the permit to prevent demolition before 1 May 1989. The permit should be further conditioned to allow a 24 month period, expiring on 1 May 1991, during which the permit will be valid. The Committee report will be amended to reflect the understanding reached with Linpro and revised copies will be distributed. Mr. Hollenberg stated that for the 7 N. 3rd Street submission the Committee recommended that the applicant use
period, expiring on 1 May 1991, during which the permit will be valid. The Committee report will be amended to reflect the understanding reached with Linpro and revised copies will be distributed. Mr. Hollenberg stated that for the 7 N. 3rd Street submission the Committee recommended that the applicant use 1/16" mortar joint on the replacement storefront. Subsequent to the Architectural Committee meeting, the architect notified the staff and Committee that the narrowest joints possible is an 1/8" joint. This being the case, the Chairman of the Architectural Committee recommended that 1/8" mortar joint be approved. Jason Nathan expressed concern over the Committee's recommendation to approve of an entrance canopy on the Drexel Building located at 1435 Walnut Street. Mr. Nathan stated his belief that a large canopy which extends out to the sidewalk is inappropriate and will compromise the integrity of the monumental doorway. On 24 June 1987 the Historical Commission approved plaques and first floor window canopies for the 15th & Walnut Street elevation of the Drexel Building. The entrance canopy was rejected. STATED MEETING 3 21 April 1988 The Commission members asked if the applicant had received approval for this entrance canopy from all the other city agencies that have jurisdiction. Patricia Siemiontkowski reported that the applicant received approvals from the Planning Commission, the Art Commission and the Streets Department. The Commission unanimously voted to recommend an approval of the recommendations made by the Architectural Committee in regard to The Philadelphia Zoo, 7 N. 3rd Street, 1329-1331 Buttonwood Street and Friends Hospital. The Commission voted to defer a decision on 1435 Walnut Street pending a meeting with the applicant and various agencies involved in the review of the proposed canopy. The second section of the Report of the Architectural Committee consists of the proposal for Apartment 19A of the Wetherill Apartments. The Committee recommends an approval for the window replacement. A rejection is recommended for the greenhouse proposal. The Commission voted to approve this recommendation of the Architectural Committee. The third section of the report consist of 3512 Baring Street and 1511 Pine Street where additional information is required. No action is necessary at this time. The Commission voted to approve the recommendation of the Architectural Committee. The final section of the Architectural Committee Report involves three submissions where the Committee made specific recommendations to the applicants. These included submissions for 528 Queen Street, 504 Spruce Street
is required. No action is necessary at this time. The Commission voted to approve the recommendation of the Architectural Committee. The final section of the Architectural Committee Report involves three submissions where the Committee made specific recommendations to the applicants. These included submissions for 528 Queen Street, 504 Spruce Street and 2100 Diamond Street. Mr. Hollenberg stated that the Architectural Committee informed the owner of 504 Spruce Street that the hose box, built without a building permit, must be removed. The owner stated his intention to appeal this decision. The Commission voted to approve the recommendations of the Architectural Committee in respect to these three applications. THE REPORT of the Special Meeting of the Architectural Committee of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 17 March 1987, David Hollenberg, Chairman. Mr. Hollenberg stated that this meeting was held to review Phase I of the rehabilitation of 30th Street Station. The Committee's recommendation for the proposed rehabilitation was accepted by the Commission and an approval granted. THE REPORT of the Activities of the Philadelphia Historical Commission staff for 1 March - 1 April 1988, Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer. STATED MEETING 4 21 April 1988 Jason Nathan expressed concern over the reinstatement of the demolition permit for Laning Hall for a period of 90 days expiring on 30 June 1988. David Wismer stated that the permit was reinstated based on advice from the City Solicitor. This permit was also reinstated based on administrative procedures and policies in effect at the time of the permits original issuance and in March 1987 when its extension was denied. Mr. Nathan asked whether the new or former ordinance applies. Richard Tyler stated that any new permit application will be reviewed under the present ordinance. Maria Petrillo, counsel to the Commission, stated that the letter which Mark MacQueen, former counsel to the Commission, wrote to Licenses and Inspections was interpreted as a directive when in fact it was intended that Licenses and Inspections exercise its discretion in determining whether or not to extend the life of the demolition permit. Miss Petrillo stated that the Law Department thought it necessary to correct any misunderstanding created by Mr. MacQueen's letter or by Licenses and Inspections letter to Toll Brothers. Mr. Nathan requested copies of the correspondence with Licenses and Inspections and the Law Department for distribution to the Commission members. Miss Petrillo agreed to make available to the Commission
it necessary to correct any misunderstanding created by Mr. MacQueen's letter or by Licenses and Inspections letter to Toll Brothers. Mr. Nathan requested copies of the correspondence with Licenses and Inspections and the Law Department for distribution to the Commission members. Miss Petrillo agreed to make available to the Commission all correspondence relating to the demolition of Laning Hall. Mr. Montgomery asked Miss Petrillo, if there were any procedures the Historical Commission could follow to get the demolition permit for Laning Hall back to the Commission for consideration under the current ordinance. Miss Petrillo stated that she will look into this and inform the Commission what the requirements would be, if any, to have the Laning Hall demolition permit come before the Commission again. The Commission stated that the staff should inspect the site and report on the work which should be done to stabilize the buildings on the site. Commissioner Ellis suggested that the developer be asked to prepare a time schedule for securing the buildings and that the staff use that schedule to monitor the progress on the site. The Commission approved the report of the Activities of the staff for 1 March - 1 April 1988 for filing. STATED MEETING 5 21 April 1988 HARRY A. BATTEN FUND Mr. Tyler stated that a recent audit by the Controllers office led to a request that the Harry A. Batten Fund be moved from Germantown Savings Bank. Mr. Tyler suggested that the Batten Fund be moved to Mellon Bank. The Commission voted to approve this resolution. Mr. Montgomery abstained. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Maureen Heaney Clerk Steno I /mah