The Historical and Architectural Review Board awarded certificates of appropriateness for two of three projects at the virtual meeting held Jan. 6. With Chairman Fred Bonsall absent due to health issues and Vice Chair Philip Roeder retired, Beth Starbuck chaired the proceedings.

Joseph Phillips recused himself as historic officer for 408 N. New St. so he could represent the project. Jeff Long, who works for the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission as historic officer, filled in for this one agenda item.

Phillips was granted a COA for the demolition of the circa 1970s one-story garage at the rear of the property. It is to be replaced by a two-story structure with a two-car garage on the first level and a relative care unit on the second floor. The new building is similar in style to a carriage house. Trim, doors and siding are to match the colors of the existing 1998 rear addition to the house. The deck that connects the addition to the garage will be shortened to allow more space for the new construction.

Approval was granted with the stipulation that Phillips reduce the pitch of the roof to match that of the house, reconfigure the placement of some of the windows on the second floor and gable ends, and revise the garage doors to have vertical window panes instead of the proposed horizontal look. Recessed lights are not to exceed 3,000 kelvins.

The alterations are to be reviewed by Long, Starbuck and Marsha Fritz.

David and Wendy Thompson own the property.

Homeowners Dino and Nora Fantozzi scored permission to replace a picket fence on the western side of their property with a cedar board and lattice one at 29 E. Church St. The new six-foot fence matches an existing fence in both design and materials that is located on the eastern property line.

A short section of picket fence with a gate at the front of the property is to be removed and replaced with the cedar board and lattice fence, as well. This section will be moved away from the front and installed at the side of the house closer to the rear yard.

The gates at the front and back are to be installed with standard black hardware.

The commissioners tabled a roof replacement application for 525 N. New St. Representing Verizon, architect Shawn Ulery proposed replacing the existing slate roof with GAF Slateline shingles. He said there were areas of the roof that were in need of repair. He related his client balked at the cost of the needed repair. They had relied on one roofing contractor’s opinion that it would be cheaper to replace the roof with new shingles that are compatible with historic guidelines.

Fritz mentioned that, while slate roofs should be inspected and maintained every few years, a slate roof would last around one hundred years.

Starbuck told the applicant to contact another roofing company for a second opinion.

All voting on the three proposals was unanimous.

After the board addressed the COA proposals, Phillips opened the floor for the nomination of new officers for 2021. Starbuck and Fritz were unanimously elected chair and vice chair respectfully.

The Historical and Architectural Review Board regularly meets the first Wednesday of every month to review all exterior changes proposed to buildings in the Bethlehem Historic District north of the Lehigh River. When a proposed project receives a certificate of appropriateness from the board, applicants must wait for City Council to vote on it before proceeding.