Historical Commission — Oct 2, 1975

MINUTES OF THE 197th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 2 October 1975 Dr. F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: Charles R. Tyson, Vice Chairman The Hon. John B. Kelly, Jr., Councilman-at-Large Edward Pinkowski Herbert Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission David Rosenblum, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Siemikowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting, 4 September 1975, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 16 September 1975 was approved by the Commission and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Recommendations by the Staff for the Certification of Buildings, Richard Tyler, Historian. The members reviewed for certification the 1900 block of Spring Garden Street, Samuelson Street, Kensington and Wallace Street as requested by the Spring Garden Civic Association. After a period of discussion concerning proposed plans for the area, a motion was presented by Mr. Pinkowski to table action on the architectural proposal pending the receipt of additional information from other city agencies. This motion was seconded and carried. Mr. Tyler was directed to obtain the necessary information and report on his findings to the Board at its next Stated Meeting. Report on Historical Commission Staff Activities, Richard Tyler, Historian. Dr. Tyler's report for the month of September was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS Drexel Building, 34 South Third Street, Richard Tyler, Historian. Mr. Tyler reported to the Board on the present status of the Drexel Building situate at 34 South Third Street. Although the Commission's air month demolition withholding period expired in May 1975, the [HANDWRITTEN NOTES: Top left corner: handwritten "2"] STATED MEETING 2 2 October 1975 OLD BUSINESS (Cont'd) building remains standing. The owners are now negotiating with a custom house broker for the purchase of the building which will allow its exterior and ramps. Since the demolition permit approved by this Commission, will expire on 12 November 1975, the owner is requesting that the Commission ask the Department of Licenses and Inspections to grant a one year extended on the validity of the permit. The Board unanimously agreed to request the extension and directed Mr. Tyler to write to Commissioner Schwartz. NEW BUSINESS Reimbursement of

12 November 1975, the owner is requesting that the Commission ask the Department of Licenses and Inspections to grant a one year extended on the validity of the permit. The Board unanimously agreed to request the extension and directed Mr. Tyler to write to Commissioner Schwartz. NEW BUSINESS Reimbursement of Expenses - Historic American Buildings Survey Catalog, Richard Tyler, Historian. The Board approved the reimbursement of $50 to Richard Webster, Editor of the HABS Catalog, for awarding of a section of the manuscript. Fines and Penalties for Violation of Code. At the request of the Commission, Mr. Kelly looked into the possibility of raising the penalty for violation of Building Codes. This action came as a result raised alterations being made to historically certified structures without the Commission's knowledge or approval. Mr. Kelly reported that there existed in the Home Rule Charter a fine limitation of $300 imposed for illegal alterations to buildings and that a change in state legislation would be required to raise that limit. Mr. Kelly suggested that the Commission take no action on this time a bill (House Bill 1679) had already been introduced in an effort to raise the existing fines and penalties. Penn Mutual Observation Desk Exhibit, Charles R. Tyson, Vice Chairman. Mr. Tyson expressed his thanks to the Commission and personally to Mr. Tyler for his assistance in helping to arrange the successful opening of the Penn Mutual Observation Desk. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Wamstedt Executive Assistant to the Chairman /pae