Brittany Storz received a certificate of appropriateness to replace her “Edible Arrangements” sign with a new one the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission found palatable at the Feb. 22 virtual hearing. The off-white opaque signboard for 11 E. Third St. features a colorful basket of fruit in a red circle logo, followed by the word “Edible” in a red sans serif font. Although it fits into an existing internally-lit box sign frame above the store entrance, only the corporate logo and lettering will be illuminated.

The circa 1920, glazed terra-cotta building is owned by MB & DJ LLC.

Having their proposal tabled at the previous meeting, Rafael Palomino and Jeffrey Quinn returned with revised plans for 317-327 S. New St. Demolition approval for existing buildings with replacement by a 12-13 story mixed use building was denied. The decision was unanimous among the six members who voted. Ken Loush recused himself from this agenda item.

The directors expressed support for potential demolition of select existing non-contributing structures and developing the project’s location. They commended the applicant’s incorporating the façade of the one contributing building into the new design.

The board choked on the idea of replacing the existing one-story and three-story buildings with a structure reaching up to possibly 13 stories tall. They cited the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards that new work “will be compatible with the historic materials, features, size, scale and proportion, and massing to protect the integrity of the property and its environment.”

Several Bethlehem residents weighed in with their opinions on the project prior to the vote.

Dan Church said while he supports the proposal’s retaining portions of existing historical structures, he dislikes having high-rises like the nearby “Rooney Building” located within the historic district.

South Bethlehem resident Anna Smith encouraged the Bethlehem HCC not to compromise with developers on planning measures that protect South Bethlehem’s identity. She expressed appreciation for the “affordable housing” facet, but did not support exceeding the four/five story height limit for new projects.

Rachel Leon expressed concern about the potential for compromised air quality during demolition of so many structures. She wryly commented that “affordable housing” does not necessarily mean affordable to current residents of South Bethlehem.

Having previous professional involvement with the City of Bethlehem when the original historic district ordinance was passed, Dana Grubb opined such a tall building “does not fit” within the surrounding neighborhood. Grubb predicted it, combined with the nearby six-story office building and parking garage, would create a “building canyon” along South New Street.

Others speaking out in favor of adhering to HCC guidelines and restricting building heights were Kim Carrell-Smith, Breena Holland, Seth Moglen, Peg Church and Al Wurth.

Lehigh University Assistant Vice President for Community and Public Affairs Adrienne McNeil rebutted the applicant’s claim that their proposed project would address a student housing shortage. She explained that Lehigh has responded to an increased student population by constructing additional residence halls.

The row of buildings is owned by 325 S. New Street Development LLC.

Assisted by architect Elliot Nolter, developer Larry Eighmy scored a COA to construct a flat-roofed penthouse at the West Fourth Street façade at 327 Broadway. The new three-bay rooftop apartment, measuring 10 feet high by 43 feet wide, aligns with the reconstructed central portion of the brick masonry parapet. It’s to be set back four feet from the parapet.

Flanking the penthouse are a 9-foot-high by 13-foot-wide addition with front-facing terrace doors and screening for rooftop mechanical units set back six feet.

Voting was 5-2, with Beth Starbuck and Seth Cornish opposed, commenting it was too tall and not set back far enough.

Two additional proposals for the project were unanimously tabled, including a rooftop biergarten solar shade structure and revised garage openings for the first floor of the West Fourth Street façade.

Starbuck said she wanted to see the canopy set back more from the building’s outer walls.

During public comment, Peg Church supported the rooftop biergarten, but expressed concern about patrons knocking items from atop the parapet onto the street below.

The applicant’s choice of aluminum cladding and screening materials for the street level of the building’s Fourth Street façade was not well received. Starbuck and Vice Chair Craig Evans found it “incompatible” with the materials and styling of the upper floor.

The property, wedged between Broadway and Fourth Street, is owned by Sycamore Hill Farm Development.

ZEST Bar & Grille owner John Trapani received permission to amend a previous COA regarding an extended time frame for seasonal use of his rooftop terrace awning at 306 S. New St. Presented by Mike Simonson, Trapani received the approval in absentia to install seasonal awning April 1 through Dec. 1 or until the first snowfall of the season. The previous allowable installation date had been May 1.

The decision was unanimous among the six members who voted. Citing a conflict of interest, Chairman Gary Lader abstained.

The building is owned by Greenway I Inc.

The Bethlehem HCC is charged with the task of determining if new signs or other alterations to a building’s exterior would be an appropriate fit for the neighborhood in one of three designated historic districts.

Obtaining a certificate of appropriateness is only a first step for business owners and residents in a designated historic district who wish to make alterations to a building’s exterior. The commission’s recommendations are later reviewed, then voted on by city council before any project is allowed to proceed.