REPORT OF THE ARCIDTECTURAL COMMITTEE PIDLADELPIDA IDSTORICAL COMMISSION Present Arlene Matzkin, Chairperson Penelope Batchelor William Cornell David Hollenberg Herbert Levy Arlene Matzkin, Chairperson Commission Conference Room Suite 1301, 1401 Arch Street 26 December 1995 Richard Tyler, Historic Preservation Officer Randal Baron, Assistant Historic Preservation Officer Jeffrey Barr, Historical Research Technician Also ) Myrna and Marvin Galfand, 2037 Locust Street Mary Doran, 258 S. 4th Street Ellen Emens, 258 S. 16th Street Garry O'Rourke, 2047 Chestnut Street Stephen McLaughlin, Roof System Consultants Steve Kennerly, Architect Titus Hewryk, University of Pennsylvania Richard Wesley, Architect for 3432-36 Sansom Street Carl Doebley, Dan Peter Kopple and Associates ) 2037 LocUST STREET Myrna and Marvin Galfand, Applicant PROPOSAL: Rebuild Front Wall 2 At its meeting of 8 November 1995 the Commission gave emergency permission for the rebuilding of this front wall because of the severe bowing of the facade documented in a letter from the Galfand's engineer. Although the Commission delegated the review of details to the staff disagreement emerged about the design of the transom. Staff thought it best to refer to the Committee particularly as cold weather will now delay the rebuilding of the front facade until Spring. Instead of reusing the doorway and leaded transom as is, the applicant would like to cut down the transom in order to create more brick area above the door. The Committee had no problem with this or the rest of the design of the new facade and they recommeded approval of the new brick as well. The Committee voted to recommend approval, of the proposal,. 258 S. 4TH STREET Mary Doran, Applicant PROPOSAL: New side windows and garage door The applicant seeks to alter the side of this corner house that had been used as a funeral parlour. She would like to convert a double door to a double 6/6 wood true divided light window. On the side of the stuccoed rear addition she would like to cut out two doors and create a new garage door. The Committee voted to recommend approval, of the proposal with staff review of details of the garage door. 2047 CHESTNUT STREET Garry ff Rourke, Applicant PROPOSAL: Storefront Alterations The applicant proposes to legalize storefront alterations begun without a permit. A recessed door has been replaced with a simple flat wood door. The door jamb has had brick removed and the side of the storefront which was filled with
2047 CHESTNUT STREET Garry ff Rourke, Applicant PROPOSAL: Storefront Alterations The applicant proposes to legalize storefront alterations begun without a permit. A recessed door has been replaced with a simple flat wood door. The door jamb has had brick removed and the side of the storefront which was filled with plywood, has had an air conditioner installed and has been infilled with stucco. The Committe explained that the storefront should have glass in the side of the storefront and the airconditioner should be installed in a transom area above. They offered to revisit the issue however if the owner of the building would like to bring in the store tenant to explain his needs in the matter. The Committee voted to recommend denial of the proposal, as presently con.figured. Staff offered to meet with owner and tenant at the site to re.fine the application. 2108-2114 CHESTNUT STREET Steven Kennerly, Architect ) _) 3 PROPOSAL: Wooden Ramp The applicant appeared before the Committee and Commission before to obtain permission to build a concrete handicap ramp. Since then, the proposal has come in over budget prompting the architects to design a new pressure treated wood ramp. Some Committee members expressed the opinion that the wood does not seem like a compatible material for this masonry building. Richard Tyler said ,however, that the material looks clearly like a temporary addition which is good in terms of distinguishing it from the original. Arlene Matzkin explained that the Committee had agreed to be particularly flexible on the architecture of the link in order to see more money spent on making the ramp look better and she was sorry to see it appear so much like a timber roof deck. Mr. Kennerly explained that this new ramp will save almost $40,000 leaving the wood ramp in the $10,000-$15,000 range. Mr. Baron explained that he had recommended that the applicant look at a metal ramp similarto the one approved for the synagogue on Spruce Street. He also had seen an internal lift directly inside a ground level door as a solution to handicapped access in historic buildings in both New York and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and asked if the cost of that solution would not be comparable in cost. Committee members discussed whether this wood ramp should be painted and agreed it is probably better to leave it gray. 1he Architectural Committee voted to recommend approval, of the
in both New York and Cambridge, Massachusetts, and asked if the cost of that solution would not be comparable in cost. Committee members discussed whether this wood ramp should be painted and agreed it is probably better to leave it gray. 1he Architectural Committee voted to recommend approval, of the ramp as submitted with the option of asldng for it to be painted after its installation. 3432-36 SANSOM STREET Richard Wesley, Architect PROPOSAL: Addition, ramp, rooftop duct work This proposal revisits the question of reestablishing La Terrase restaurant on this corner. The side green house addition had been seen and approved in the past. Committee members liked the new brick ramp with stepped side wall. The main issue was the highly visible banks of round metal ducts rising several feet above the mansard and extending across 3432. In addition, a large stuccoed wall containing the vertical ducts will project up at the party wall between two buildings perpendicular to the facade. The Committee looked at repositioning the ducts and determined that there was no feasible and prudent alternative that would not disrupt the apartment below. The architect promised that the ducts would not remain a shiny silver color. Other elements of the facade will only be repaired. If additional funding is found the applicant might consider restoring the missing storefront cornice at a later time. 1he Committee voted to recommend approval of the proposal, 201 S. 34TH STREET Stephen Mc Laughlin, Roofing Consultant PROPOSAL;· New Roof This application involves replacing the asphalt shingle roof of the Music building with an asphalt shingle or rubber slate roof. Although the permit has already been approved, Mr. Tyler explained that he is encouraging the University to look at the possibility of using the rubber slate to approximate better the look of the original slate roof. .,. 4 Committee members voted to recommend approval of the submission, with either the slate gray asphalt or rubber shingles. 6260 CI1Y LINE A VENUE OVERBROOK TRAIN STATION Carl Doebley, Dan Peter Kopple & Associates PROPOSAL: Complete Restoration/ cutting security openings in platform wall The applicant seeks approval for restoring I reconstructing almost every element of this serious! y deteriorated structure. The one area where the applicant is not proposing restoration is in the removal of muntins from a platform window and the cutting of two similar window size openings to make the platform safer from muggers. Mr.
for restoring I reconstructing almost every element of this serious! y deteriorated structure. The one area where the applicant is not proposing restoration is in the removal of muntins from a platform window and the cutting of two similar window size openings to make the platform safer from muggers. Mr. Baron asked if the muntins could not remain in the windows even as a metal grid to retain some of the historic character of the openings. Committee members agreed with the applicant that the muntins could be broken by vandals and should be removed. Mrs. Batchelor asked that the sash of the original window be stored in the attic. The Committee voted to recommend approval. 2901-41 MARKET STREET Carl Doebley, Dan Peter Kopple and Associates PROPOSAL: Elevators, lighting, signage on commuter platforms This proposal involves installing new elevators on the commuter platforms in order to provide handicapped access. In addition, former stairways will be reopened and new signage will be installed. There arose a question only about the new additional lighting in the form of long florescent tube box lights attached to the lip of the canopy. Members agreed that they needed to see a detail of this light to make an assessment. The Architectural Committee voted to recommend approval of the proposal with the exception of the lighting which needs a closer look. The meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Randal Baron