With the monthly agenda overflowing with proposals to review, the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission decided to hold two hearings a week apart in April.

After having his demolition proposal for 14 - 18 W. Third St. tabled at a previous meeting, developer Joseph Posh, assisted by Salvatore Verrastro and Jason Monroig from Spillman Farmer Architects, was dealt a denial for the project as presented at the April 19 virtual hearing.

In a 3-2 vote, Chairman Gary Lader, Beth Starbuck and Seth Cornish said they considered the proposed new construction to replace those structures and the vacant lot west of them too tall for the historic district. They expressed support for the overall look and other aspects of the proposed new building, but strongly felt that eight stories were too many to fit within the historic guidelines they are compelled to follow as board members. They also advised the streetscape be divided more to appear less industrial-looking.

Roger Hudak and Mike Simonson voted against the motion to deny, saying they both liked the design of the new building and believed it would fit in the neighborhood.

When public comment was solicited by the chair, Bethlehem residents Dana Grubb and Rachel Leon agreed that the project would better suit the district if the architects eliminated two of the middle stories to reduce the 88-foot building’s height.

Joseph Posh Properties owns the triangular lot facing East Third with the Greenway trail running behind it.

Larissa Woods was granted a certificate of appropriateness for façade renovations for 125-127 W. Fourth St. The one-story storefront had been altered significantly over the years from the former 1920s era restaurant.

Unanimous permission was given for removing inappropriate cladding to expose the original brick underneath. Opening up the closed-in recessed street-level entrances was also approved as well as removing a roof that had been built over the structure’s leaded glass transom. Approval includes in-kind repairs to the transom.

The applicant was advised to return after this phase of the project is completed with lighting and signage proposals.

Larissa Woods and Luis Rivera are listed as the owner/applicants for the property.

Xi Cheng’s revised design for a new wall sign for 220 E. Third St. was unanimously approved. It had been tabled previously as being unreadable in daylight due to a lack of contrast. The new look features a dark brown background behind the off-white business name “Hocaa,” various graphics, and pinstriped signage.

The two-story late 19th century building is owned by Kevin Luna, who promised to repair any stucco damaged by previous signs.

Representing 412 E. Fourth St., business owner Bennie Dornevil scored a COA for a new 3-foot by 2-foot oval hanging sign. It features “Eva’s Bargain Boutique” in off-white sans serif lettering with a top and bottom decorative scroll serving as a “pinstripe.”

Dornevil was instructed to use a more historically-appropriate bracket and provide information on it to the historical officer. The single pole hanger was considered too modern. She was also told to install it in the masonry joints of the brick building.

Voting was unanimous.

The three-story, two-bay residential over retail building is owned by Mark Sabato.

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. Usually meeting once a month, the next virtual hearing was scheduled for Apr. 26, 2021 as there were too many items to address in one session.

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.