MINUTES of the 275th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 3 November 1983 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman Paul Deegan, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Public Property Val C. Mogensen, Executive Assistant Director of Finance Kenneth Cooper, Esq., Deputy City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Siemionkowski, Architectural Historian Jefferson Moak, Executive Secretary Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the 274th Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission, 1 September 1983, were reviewed, approved and directed to be filed. THE REPORT of the Architectural Committee for 21 September 1983 was reviewed and approved following a brief discussion of Cope-Linder's preliminary plans for the rehabilitation and reuse of the Lit Brothers Department Store Building. THE REPORT of the Architectural Committee for 19 October 1983 was reviewed and amended. Under the entry regarding Biddle Hall, the third sentence of the second paragraph was changed to read: "To mitigate the impact, the Committee suggested designing a single road, rather than two roads, and expanding...." Following some discussion of the Naval Home project, action on this submission was tabled pending further consideration and clarification of the proposed front lawn parking plan. At the request of the Commission, the staff elaborated upon the proposed demolition of the Provident Bank at 6th and Spring Garden Streets and the Committee's recommendation regarding the approval of a plaque for 3210 Powelton Avenue. Except for the entry concerning the U.S. Naval Home, the Report of the Architectural Committee for 19 October 1983 was approved as amended. Mr. Mogensen opposed granting a plaque to 3210 Powelton Avenue. STATED MEETING 2 3 November 1983 THE REPORT on Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for September-October 1983, Richard Tyler, Historian. The Historian's Report was reviewed, approved and directed to be filed. OLD BUSINESS New Ordinance for the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Mr. Mogensen raised for discussion the issue of the Commission's proposed new ordinance and its present status. Subsequent to the appointment of three persons to a committee in March of 1983, Messrs. Levy and Mogensen and Mrs. Klein met to review and recommend various changes to several drafts of the proposed new ordinance. Since those early meetings, held in March, the committee has not met to discuss the status of the ordinance or later drafts. Mr. Mogensen pointed out
of 1983, Messrs. Levy and Mogensen and Mrs. Klein met to review and recommend various changes to several drafts of the proposed new ordinance. Since those early meetings, held in March, the committee has not met to discuss the status of the ordinance or later drafts. Mr. Mogensen pointed out that neither the committee nor the Commission has received or reviewed any recent drafts from the Law Department or staff. A draft remained in the City Solicitor's Office until the recent request from the Mayor's Office for its immediate resubmission to the Cabinet. Subsequent to Cabinet review of the last draft, the Historian, Ken Cooper and Barbara Kaplan, Executive Director of the City Planning Commission, met to discuss the Cabinet's concerns regarding provisions of the ordinance. These issues were not substantive and could be changed easily to satisfy the Administration's concerns. Mr. Mogensen suggested strongly that the polished draft be returned to the committee for review before any formal submission to City Council is made. The Chairman agreed and asked the Historian to make the necessary arrangements as soon as a final draft is complete. NEW BUSINESS Preservation Law Reporter. The Historian requested the Commission's approval for the expenditure of $155.00 from the Barry A. Batten Memorial Fund to renew its subscription to the Preservation Law Reporter. The Commission voted in favor of this expenditure. Mr. Mogensen opposed. STATED MEETING 3 3 November 1983 Certification in the Spring Garden National Register Historic District extension area. At the request of the Historic Neighborhood Alliance, the Philadelphia Historical Commission was asked to consider the possibility of undertaking local certifications in the newly listed National Register area bounded by 15th Street, 19th Street, Fairmount Avenue and Green Streets. Following some discussion of the issue of gentrification in the Spring Garden community and the effects of local certification, the Historian recommended that the staff meet with representatives of the neighborhood to gather additional information before any action is taken by the Commission. The Commission agreed with the Historian's recommendation and asked that he arrange to meet with the community and report back to the Commission at a subsequent meeting. THE REPORT of the Committee on Certification for 11 July 1983, Edward Pinkowski, Chairman. The Commission first discussed the certification of the Church of the New Jerusalem at 2129 Chestnut Street. Mr. Moak reported having received a letter from the Church asking that the Commission
Commission at a subsequent meeting. THE REPORT of the Committee on Certification for 11 July 1983, Edward Pinkowski, Chairman. The Commission first discussed the certification of the Church of the New Jerusalem at 2129 Chestnut Street. Mr. Moak reported having received a letter from the Church asking that the Commission defer action on the certification of their structure until the Church Council and the congregation have had an opportunity to meet and discuss the matter. Following some discussion, the Commission directed the staff to respond to the Church's letter and to request further information regarding the concerns of the Church Council and the congregation. The remainder of the items in the Report of the Committee on Certification for 11 July 1983 were tabled. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 P.M. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiontkowski Architectural Historian