MINUTES OF THE 240th STATED MEETING OF THE PHILADELPHIA HISTORICAL COMMISSION 11 October 1979 F. Otto Haas, Chairman Present: F. Otto Haas, Chairman of the Commission Janet S. Klein, Vice Chairman of the Commission Val C. Mcgansea, Executive Assistant Director of Finance Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Architectural Advisor to the Commission Richard Tyler, Historian Patricia Siemiatkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman Marion M. Carroll, Architectural Historian Jefferson Moak, Historical Research Technician Unless otherwise noted, all actions taken herein are the results of motions correctly made, seconded and carried. The Minutes of the Stated Meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission held on 6 September 1979 were reviewed. Mr. Levy noted that the approval of the Minutes of the Meeting of the Architectural Committee for 15 August 1979 had been omitted. With the addition of this item, the Minutes for 6 September 1979 were approved and directed to be filed. REPORTS The Report of the Architectural Committee for 19 September 1979, Herbert W. Levy, A.I.A., Chairman, was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Report on Philadelphia Historical Commission Staff Activities for the month of August, Richard Tyler, Historian. The Historian's report for the month of August was approved and directed to be filed with the official copy of the Minutes. Both Mrs. Carroll and Mr. Moak reported to the members of the Commission on their respective research undertakings. Mrs. Carroll elaborated on her findings concerning the Cannon Ball farm house and its architectural elements while Mr. Moak reported on his search for documents relating to Philadelphia's Charter Streets. NEW BUSINESS Report on the Annual Meeting of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Patricia Ann Siemiatkowski, Executive Assistant to the Chairman. 240th STATED MEETING 2 11 October 1979 Miss Siemiatikowski reported to the Chairman and the Commission members on both the general and technical sessions of the National Trust Annual Meeting and, more importantly, on the Meeting of Landmark and Historic District Commissions. The Landmark and Historic District Commissions' day-long session brings together each year representatives of preservation agencies from around the country to discuss current issues and problems facing major cities. Issues under discussion this year included use of Community Development Block Grant funds for historic preservation purposes; a discussion of the 106 Review Process as mandated by federal law; a report on the success of the historic preservation provision of the Tax Reform Act
issues and problems facing major cities. Issues under discussion this year included use of Community Development Block Grant funds for historic preservation purposes; a discussion of the 106 Review Process as mandated by federal law; a report on the success of the historic preservation provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1976; and other current preservation issues. The exchange of information generated in this session continues to be of value to the Commission staff in both evaluating Philadelphia's past performance and in initiating new approaches to preservation. While the general sessions and technical workshops are designed to appeal to a broader audience, they in some instances provided valuable information. A discussion of the Neighborhood Self-Help Development Program to be implemented by the federal government before the end of this year showed how this program could be used by neighborhoods to renew deteriorating housing stock, revitalize a commercial strip or restore an historic structure. Although not specifically recognized as an historic preservation program, the Neighborhood Self-Help Development Program is a potentially valuable source of preservation funding. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Patricia Siemiatikowski Executive Assistant to the Chairman PS:mk