1 Present REPORT OF THE ARCIDTECTURAL COMMITTEE PIIlLADELPIIlA IIlSTORICAL COMMISSION Arlene Matzkin, Chairperson Commission Conference Room Suite 1301, 1401 Arch Street 30 May 1995 Arlene Matzkin, Chairperson, Architectural Committee Tony Atkin Penelope Batchelor I. William Cornell Herbert W. Levy Suzanne Pentz Don Stevenson Randal Baron, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer Lori Plavin Salganicoff, Historic Preservation Specialist Also Doris Fanelli, Independence National Historical Park Hal Dean Jim Campbell David and Gina Morgan Martin O'Mally Milton Marks, Preservation Coalition Nan Gutterman, Vitetta Group INDEPENDENCE SQUARE GROUP OF BUILDINGS Doris Fanelli & Bill Brookover, Independence National Historical Park PROGRESS REPORT: Accessibility Ramps Ms. Fanelli returned to the Committee for its opinion on the use of heat tapes. Architects at the National Park Service had reported problems with the tapes breaking as well as with ice forming at ramp bases where runoff reaches an unheated surface. Mr. Levy recommended that since the ramps could easily be shoveled along with the sidewalks and steps, much of this problem would be eliminated. The Committee reinforced their initial recommendation to use heat tapes. Report of the Architectural Committee 2 4650 GERMANTOWN AVENUE, LoUOON MANSION Hal Dean, Campbell, Thomas & Co. Architects PROPOSAL: Window Alteration 30 May 1995 Meeting This building, built in 1796-1801 by the merchant Thomas Armat suffered a lightening fire several years ago. Toward restoration and rehabilitation, the Commission staff has already approved interior work and repair to/replacement in kind of historic windows. The Applicant seeks approval for the replacement of a window in the rear, the addition of an accessibility ramp, and the replacement of a roof railing. The rear window had previously been leaded glass, but replacement in kind will not be possible within the current restoration budget. The Applicant proposed to replace the window with one of the correct size, but without the leaded lights. The accessibility ramp proposed would consist of a wooden ramp with concrete footings and galvanized steel railings. It would be easily removable and located on the side of the house least visible from Germantown Avenue. The only damage to historic fabric would be where the footings would be sunk into the brick sidewalk. The Applicant expressed an intention to undertake an archaeological study there. The roof railing had originally been installed by Thomas Armat so he could see whether his ships had arrived into the Port of Philadelphia. The architects have not yet been able to find a
sunk into the brick sidewalk. The Applicant expressed an intention to undertake an archaeological study there. The roof railing had originally been installed by Thomas Armat so he could see whether his ships had arrived into the Port of Philadelphia. The architects have not yet been able to find a very good graphic representation of the original railing, and so sought conceptual approval of the railing replacement. The Committee voted to recommend approval of the window replacement and accessibility ramp. 1he rooftop railing was recommended to be approved in concept. 856 SOUTH FRONT STREET David Morgan, Applicant PROPOSAL: Window Alteration The Applicant proposes to replace the now-missing windows of the second and third floors of his building with windows featuring plank frames, install a 6-panel entrance door, and replace the large first floor window. Commission members agreed that the second and third floor windows should have plank frames and that a six-panel door is appropriate. The deteriorated windows currently located in the first floor are not original and the owner desires to remove them. The Committee suggested replacing them with a single plank frame window of the same size with lights in the same proportion as in the windows above. The Applicant, who has received approval of interior alterations at staff level, was amenable to the Committee's suggestions. Report of the Architectural Committee 3 30 May 1995 Meeting 1he Committee voted to recommend that this proposal be worked through at staff level. 2020 SANSOM STREET Justin Dayton, Applicant PROPOSAL; Signage This proposal is to legalize the installation of an inflated gorilla which serves as signage for this business. 1he Committee voted to recommend approval. 1115-1141 MARKET STREET, READING TERMINAL MARKET Nan Gutterman, Vitetta Group Architects PROPOSAL; Roof Snowguards As a result of heating of the Reading Terminal trainshed and the insulation of its roof, snow and ice buildup is now a problem. Four lawsuits have been brought against the Convention Center Authority in the past two years as a result of ice crashing to the ground. The Applicant proposes to install ten rows of 10" high baffles running the length of the roof. The weight of these baffles will cause them to be installed via helicopter. Committee members questioned whether the 3/4" gap between the roof and the baffles would allow for sufficient meltflow. Ms. Gutterman responded that their consultant had recommended even less of a gap, but that the
of the roof. The weight of these baffles will cause them to be installed via helicopter. Committee members questioned whether the 3/4" gap between the roof and the baffles would allow for sufficient meltflow. Ms. Gutterman responded that their consultant had recommended even less of a gap, but that the Vitetta Group had requested that this be slightly increased. 1he Committee voted to recommend approval of the snowguards. The meeting was adjourned at 4:30 pm. Res " ' vL ... Llm Plavin S