MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 19 September 1979 Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman Present: Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman, Architectural Advisor to the Commission. Theodore T. Bartley, Jr., A.I.A., Preservation Committee, American Institute of Architects, Philadelphia Chapter. Erling P. Pedersen, A.I.A., Old Philadelphia Development Corporation. Russell Milnor, A.I.A., Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority. Richard Tyler, Historian. Patricia Siemiontowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. Marion Carroll, Architectural Historian. Jefferson Moak, Historical Research Technician. Also present: Stewart Harting and Lance Silver to present plans for the restoration of Heaton's Hotel situate at 301 Chestnut Street. Mr. Keenan of Keenan Construction to present plans for renovations to 109 Queen Street. Peter von Chamier, Architect, to submit to the Committee the Department of Recreation's proposal for the rehabilitation of the Winter House, 5708 Germantown Avenue. Gary Jones and Frederick Strum from the Old Towne Historical Society and Regina Kampf of the Washington Square West Project Area Committee to request that the Committee reconsider its recommendation concerning 904 Clinton Street. Edward J. Farnum, Architect, to present his plans for renovations to the Gloria Dei Parish Hall. Otto Reichert, Architect, to present his proposal for the restoration of the Bonaparte House, 260 South 9th Street. Marty Rosenberg of John Milner Associates to present his plans for the partial restoration of 156 North 3rd Street. Victoria Pyle of Carl Nassara Associates to present plans for the construction of a greenhouse at the rear of 1321 Locust Street. Rod Werner, Architect, to present plans for the restoration of 1935 Wallace Street. SUBMISSIONS FOR ALTERATIONS 301 Chestnut Street, David Back, Architect. Stewart Harting and Lance Silver, Developers, appeared before the Architectural Committee of the Philadelphia Historical Commission to present their architect's plans for the restoration of 301 Chestnut Street. Following a brief ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 2 19 September 1979 discussion, the Committee agreed to recommend the approval of this project subject to a few minor revisions. The Committee suggested that a solid wood panel be positioned at the bottom of the double sash doors proposed for installation within each of the ground floor openings and that the single glass light on each door be divided into smaller lights similar to those described in the insurance survey on file in the Commission offices. The single light transom over each of the ground floor openings should be divided into three or four lights of glass. A
and that the single glass light on each door be divided into smaller lights similar to those described in the insurance survey on file in the Commission offices. The single light transom over each of the ground floor openings should be divided into three or four lights of glass. A revised elevation incorporating the aforementioned changes should be submitted to the staff for a final review and approval. 109 Queen Street, Kennan Construction. Mr. Kennan appeared before the members of the Architectural Committee to present plans for the renovation of 109 Queen Street. After examining the elevation drawing in detail, the Committee suggested that Mr. Kennan have his architect enlist the aid of the Historical Commission staff in the preparation of a presentation. The Committee noted that the resubmission should be correctly and accurately drawn and include details of the proposed new cornices, door, windows and shutters. To install properly the new wood cornices, it will be necessary to remove the existing brick cornices. The new cornice should not be nailed to the brick as had been proposed. The resubmission should show the retention of the existing transom over the front door and the installation of a roof gutter and rainwater conductor. Wister House, 5708 Germantown Avenue, Peter von Chamier, Architect. Mr. von Chamier appeared before the members of the Architectural Committee to present the Recreation Department's proposal for renovations to the Wister House situated at 5708 Germantown Avenue. The Committee's chairman reported that he had examined the drawings and specifications for the proposed work and noted a few areas of inconsistency and incomplete information. Mr. Levy pointed out several items to Mr. von Chamier and asked that he have Mr. Kam, architect in charge of the renovation of the Wister House, correct or amplify the specification either with an addendum or a letter of instruction to the contractor. Mr. von Chamier agreed to have the necessary corrections made and to forward a copy of the letter or addendum to the Commission. 904 Clinton Street. Gary Jones and Frederick Strum, members of the Old Town Home Historical Society, and Regina Kampf, Director of the Washington Square West Project Area Committee, appeared before the Architectural Committee to ask that the Committee reconsider its approval of a new garden wall and gate proposed for installation at 904 Clinton Street. The proposed alterations will provide the owner with screen for off-street parking at
Kampf, Director of the Washington Square West Project Area Committee, appeared before the Architectural Committee to ask that the Committee reconsider its approval of a new garden wall and gate proposed for installation at 904 Clinton Street. The proposed alterations will provide the owner with screen for off-street parking at this location. Mr. Strum pointed out that, according to the Redevelopment Authority's Urban Renewal Plan, curb cuts and off-street parking on Clinton Street were not permitted. In view of this violation, Mr. Strum asked the Committee to reconsider its approval of the work to be undertaken and request that the Department of Licenses and Inspections rescind the owner's building permit. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 3 19 September 1979 After a lengthy discussion of this matter, the Chairman maintained that the Historical Commission and its Architectural Committee can exercise jurisdiction only over design and cannot make judgments on the Urban Renewal Plan. He suggested, however, that the neighborhood seek legal counsel concerning this issue. Mr. Tyler agreed to contact David Rosenblum, the Commission's legal advisor, to arrange for a discussion of the matter at issue. Gloria Dei Parish Hall, 929 South Water Street, Edward J. Parnum, Architect. Mr. Parnum appeared before the members of the Architectural Committee to present his proposal for the rehabilitation of the Gloria Dei Parish Hall. After a brief discussion of the project, the members of the Committee voted to recommend its approval to the Commission. Bonaparte House, 260 South 9th Street, Otto Reichert, Architect. Mr. Reichert presented his plans for the restoration of the Bonaparte House to the members of the Architectural Committee for their consideration. The Committee reviewed the architect's plans and agreed to recommend an approval, in concept. The architect was asked to examine the interior of the structure on the first and second floors of the 9th Street elevation. Although the windows at the corner appear to have been narrowed, an early insurance survey in the Commission file describes them as being single, rather than double, windows. The architect agreed to undertake the field research and report his findings to the staff. 156 North 3rd Street, John Milner Associates. Marty Rosenberg of John Milner Associates presented to the Committee members his proposal for the restoration of the ground floor of 156 North 3rd Street. The Committee found Mr. Rosenberg's proposal to be acceptable and agreed to recommend an approval of the project to the Commission.
Street, John Milner Associates. Marty Rosenberg of John Milner Associates presented to the Committee members his proposal for the restoration of the ground floor of 156 North 3rd Street. The Committee found Mr. Rosenberg's proposal to be acceptable and agreed to recommend an approval of the project to the Commission. It was noted, however, that the work to be undertaken will not constitute a full restoration of the building and the house will not be eligible for the receipt of a plaque. 1321 Locust Street, Carl Massara Associates. Victoria Pyle of Carl Massara Associates presented to the Architectural Committee her proposal for the construction of a greenhouse at the rear of 1321 Locust Street. After some consideration of the matter, the Committee asked that the balcony be extended around the turret and finished with a slightly rounded edge. The existing door opening to the balcony should be kept intact and an appropriate door installed with a transom over it. Moreover, the Committee suggested facing the stucco portion of the balcony and greenhouse with fabric to match the existing roofing material. Ms. Pyle agreed to revise her submission in accordance with the above recommendations. ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE 4 19 September 1979 1935 Wallace Street, Rod Werner, Architect. Mr. Werner presented his plans for the restoration of 1935 Wallace Street to the Committee for review. The members found the submission to be acceptable and agreed to recommend its approval to the Commission. PLAQUES 419 Fulton Street. The Committee asked the staff to examine the front wall masonry and report its findings at the next meeting. 129, 131, 133, 135, 197 and 139 North 4th Street. Again, the Committee asked that the Commission staff examine each of the buildings and report its findings at the next meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiontkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman PS mlc