Pittsburgh City Council today gave its tentative OK to the historic designation of playwright August Wilson's boyhood home in the Hill District.

The vote came two weeks after time limits in the city code for historic designations expired. That delay became the subject of much discussion in council, even though the city solicitor has said that it should not be held against the nomination.

Discussion essentially ended when Councilwoman Tonya Payne apologized at length for the delay. "It's no one's fault but my own. The blame lies with Councilwoman Tonya Payne," she said. "It was my mistake. It was no one else's mistake.

"I made this mistake, and you know what? I could potentially make other mistakes," she said. "I juggle millions of balls in the air at one time ... And occasionally, one of those balls slips. Would I want it to be the ball of my biggest adversaries? No!"

The house was nominated for historic status by Paul Ellis Jr., the late playwright's nephew, and brother of Kimberly Ellis, a critic of Ms. Payne.

"I'm woman enough to look Mr. Ellis in the eye, and say I'm sorry for the mistake I made," Ms. Payne said.

The Pittsburgh Foundation has made a $35,300 grant to the August Wilson Center for African American Culture to study Mr. Ellis' plan to turn the 15-room structure into a writer's retreat. Mr. Ellis has said the designation should help with fund raising to make that a reality.

Councilman Ricky Burgess has introduced legislation that would give council 120 days to consider historic designations, and deem them approved if council does not act after the Historic Review and City Planning commissions have given their nods. The current law requires council approve and voids the designation if no action is taken.