MINUTES OF THE 300TH STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 26 March 1986 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman Christine Washington, Vice Chairman Joan Ferreira Grace Gary David Hollenberg Jason Nathan William Thompson Henry Herling, Commissioner, Department of Licenses and Inspections Barbara Kaplan, Executive Director, City Planning Commission Dudley Sykes, Commissioner, Department of Public Property Mark MacQueen, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Patricia Siemiontkowski, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Executive Secretary Terri Koob, Clerk Steno II Also: W. Wilson Goode, Mayor Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman, Mellon Bank Mary Lou McFarland, Executive Director, Preservation Coalition of Greater Philadelphia Carol Louise Gentry, Intern, City Planning Commission And others Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. W. Wilson Goode, Mayor of the City of Philadelphia, attended today's meeting to acknowledge the retirement of F. Otto Haas as Chairman of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Mayor Goode presented a citation to Mr. Haas in appreciation of his dedicated service and commitment to Philadelphia's past, present and future. Mayor Goode bestowed upon Mr. Haas the City's highest honor for service, the Philadelphia bowl. In citing Mr. Haas' many years of commitment to Philadelphia, Mayor Goode stated that the City would not be where it is today without the presence and tenure of F. Otto Haas. Mr. Haas voiced his gratitude to Mayor Goode and expressed his confidence in the city and the people of Philadelphia. Mayor Goode then announced his appointment of Edward A. Montgomery, Jr., Chairman of Mellon Bank, as the new chairman of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Mayor Goode introduced Mr. Montgomery to the Commission and welcomed him as Chairman. Before leaving the meeting, Mayor Goode thanked all the members for their service to this Commission. STATED MEETING 2 26 March 1986 Acting on behalf of the Commission members and staff, Ms. Washington presented to Mr. Haas an aquatint of Latrobe's Chestnut Street Theatre in appreciation for the guidance and leadership provided by Mr. Haas as Chairman of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. Mr. Haas thanked Ms. Washington, the Commission members and staff. THE MINUTES of the 299th Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 26 February 1986, F. Otto Haas, Chairman, were reviewed and unanimously approved. THE REPORT of the Architectural Committee Meeting held on 13 March 1986, David Hollenberg,
Mr. Haas thanked Ms. Washington, the Commission members and staff. THE MINUTES of the 299th Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 26 February 1986, F. Otto Haas, Chairman, were reviewed and unanimously approved. THE REPORT of the Architectural Committee Meeting held on 13 March 1986, David Hollenberg, Chairman. Mr. Hollenberg reported that the original doors were discovered for 27-29 N. 3rd Street and will be reused thereby eliminating the need to submit a revised entrance detail. A final approval is now recommended. Additional elevations requested for 501 Vine Street were received subsequent to the meeting and a final approval is now recommended for the 501 Vine Street project. The revised elevations requested for 1809 Delancey Street have not been received and the cornice and shutter details requested for 1015 Pine Street have not been received. These projects are still pending. Mr. Hollenberg stated that the Committee requested that the owner/ architect for 2123 Green Street provide schemes to mitigate the negative and adverse effect of the skylight on the streetscape. These schemes will be reviewed at a future meeting of the Architectural Com- mittee. Mr. Hollenberg further stated that the Committee requested that a composite photograph of the streetscape be supplied for 1701-1715 W. Diamond Street in addition to repair specifications. While the submis- sion of repair specifications are necessary, the staff sees no need for a composite rectified photograph. Mr. Hollenberg concurred. The request for permission to demolish Greenland, a Fairmount Park mansion, included in the 13 March report, precipitated a lengthy dis- cussion on the problems that plague the unoccupied mansions of Fairmount Park. These structures suffer from deterioration, vandalism, fire damage and many ultimately are demolished. Past efforts by the Fairmount Park Commission to find a solution to this critical problem, have proved futile. Ms. Kaplan suggested establishing a task force to include such organizations as the Foundation for Architecture and the Preservation Coalition of Greater Philadelphia, whereby a fund raising campaign could be established. The members agreed that owing to severe budgetary con- straints of the Fairmount Park Commission, outside funding is necessary to help preserve these mansions. Commissioner Sykes, a member of the Fairmount Park Commission as well as the Historical Commission, stressed the need for dialogue between the two agencies aimed at developing a suitable approach to the problem. Mr. Tyler agreed to compile a list of all Fairmount Park mansions
to help preserve these mansions. Commissioner Sykes, a member of the Fairmount Park Commission as well as the Historical Commission, stressed the need for dialogue between the two agencies aimed at developing a suitable approach to the problem. Mr. Tyler agreed to compile a list of all Fairmount Park mansions noting the current status of each. This report will be presented to the Commission at its next monthly meeting. STATED MEETING 3 26 March 1986 The Commission unanimously approved the Report of the Architectural Committee for 13 March 1986 with the inclusion of the staff recommendation not to require a composite photograph of the houses from 1701-1715 W. Diamond Street. This approval includes the submissions for 27-29 N. 3rd Street and 501 Vine Street. THE REPORT on the Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for 15 February - 15 March 1986, Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer, was reviewed and approved for filing. RESOLUTION in recognition of F. Otto Haas Mr. Tyler read a resolution prepared in recognition of F. Otto Haas. The Commission thanked Mr. Haas for his leadership and guidance for the past fourteen years as Chairman of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. The Commission unanimously approved the adoption of this resolution which was presented to F. Otto Haas at today's meeting. A copy of the resolution is attached to the minutes of this meeting. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 11:09 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Terri Koob Clerk Steno II