MINUTES OF THE 216th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 4 August 1977 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman of the Commission The Hon. John B. Kelly, Jr., Councilman-at-Large Val Hogensen, Executive Assistant Director of Finance John Taxin Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Barbara Wigert, Archaeological Consultant to the Commission David Rosenblum, Esq., Assistant City Solicitor, Law Department Richard Tyler, Historian Also: Herbert Cleaver, Summer-Winter Action Association Unless otherwise noted, all action taken herein is the result of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. THE MINUTES of the Stated Meeting, 7 July 1977, were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee, Herbert W. Levy, Chairman, for 20 July 1977. Mr. Levy observed under 225-227 Spruce Street that, although Mrs. Woodman presented plans for Mrs. Cummin, the present owner, not Mrs. Cummin, is being required by the Redevelopment Authority to complete some renovations to the building. The Report was approved as corrected and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Recommendations by the Staff for the Certification of Buildings, Richard Tyler, Historian. The following buildings were approved for certification by the Commission: 304 Gaskill Street 306 Gaskill Street The Witheropoon Building, 1319-1323 Walnut Street. Report on Historical Commission Staff Activities for the month of July, Richard Tyler, Historian. Mr. Tyler's report was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. OLD BUSINESS Concept of District Designation, Richard Tyler, Historian. Following a lengthy discussion continued from the previous meeting, a consensus MINUTES 2 4 August 1977 emerged in the Commission that the creation of historic districts is an appropriate preservation technique; however, such districts should not be established under the existing ordinance by the expedient of the certification of every building within an area. Rather, this Commission in conjunction with other municipal agencies should seek an historic district ordinance for each district which is to be created locally. Within such a district, the Commission could certify the outstanding and exemplary buildings. The "City Chronicles" Series, Richard Tyler, Historian. The Commission's Historian has received a letter from William Rafsky, former Executive Director of Philadelphia '76, Inc., stating that the Corporation intended to donate the series to the Harry A. Batten Memorial Fund of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. The Commission approved the sale of the pamphlets at one dollar ($1.00)
The Commission's Historian has received a letter from William Rafsky, former Executive Director of Philadelphia '76, Inc., stating that the Corporation intended to donate the series to the Harry A. Batten Memorial Fund of the Philadelphia Historical Commission. The Commission approved the sale of the pamphlets at one dollar ($1.00) each retail, and at fifty cents ($.50) each wholesale. NEW BUSINESS The Annual Meeting of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Richard Tyler, Historian. The Commission conventionally has at least two representatives in attendance at the annual meeting of the National Trust; this year the Chairman does not plan to attend. The Commission approved the attendance of Richard Tyler and Patricia A. Siemkowowski at the National Trust meeting in Mobile, Alabama, beginning on 13 October 1977. The Historian is to draw his incurred expenses from the Commission's operating budget, the Executive Assistant to the Chairman from The Harry A. Batten Memorial Fund. Request for Education Leave for Patricia A. Siemickowski, Richard Tyler, Historian. The Commission endorsed the application of Miss Siemickowski for education leave during the fall semester of 1977 at Temple University. 3218 Powelton Avenue, Richard Tyler, Historian. Mr. Tyler and Herbert Cleaver, corresponding secretary of the Summer-Winter Action Association, a civic organization, presented to the Commission a review of the lack of full cooperation by the Holleman-Braslow partnership in the renovation of 3200 and 3218 Pewelton Avenue and of the apparent violation by them of the building permit issued for 3218 Powelton Avenue and described in the application as approved by the Commission for that permit. Although work finished at 3200 and 3218 Powelton Avenue and claiming insufficient funds we comply with this Commission's requirements, the Holleman-Braslow partnership is reportedly seeking two additional properties on the block from the Redevelopment Authority. The Commission authorized its Historian to communicate its concern about the partnership as a developer to Augustina Salviti of the Redevelopment Authority. MINUTES 3 4 August 1977 There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Richard Tyler Historian RT:rt