The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission signed off on three sign proposals, among other projects, at its May 17 virtual meeting.

Representing 1 W. Fourth St., Craig Beach from L&H Signs was granted a certificate of appropriateness to replace a pair of signs for a corner footwear and apparel store.

Beach explained although the same tenant remains at the business location, the franchise had rebranded from Villa to DTLR, requiring the change in signage. The new logo is red with a white outline over “Your Fashion … Your Lifestyle!” in white sans serif letters for each sign panel.

It was stipulated the applicant provide Chairman Gary Lader and historic officer Jeff Long revised graphics depicting an added red or white pinstripe for review in the unanimous decision.

The residential over retail painted brick building is owned by Richard McCormick.

A conditional COA was unanimously granted to Lara Bly for vinyl window signage for her fashion design studio and boutique at 202 E. Third St. Though the commissioners favored her gold Art Nouveau style “Lara Bly” logo for a large window and gold corner border designs for two smaller windows, she needs to provide the chairman and historic officer with to-scale depictions of the intended windows with the proposed decals.

Bly was instructed to return at a later meeting with a more detailed hanging sign proposal.

Mario Paniccioli owns the ornate stone and brick building built circa 1920.

Entrepreneur Zeke Zelker received permission to swap out a sign from a previous tenant for his at 306 S. New St. The new 28-inch by 144-inch panel features “Zekraft” over “Curators of Taste” in silver lettering with silver border over a black background. The vote was 6 in favor with Lader recusing himself from this agenda item.

The storefront is the former home of Sagra Beans in the building owned by Greenway 1 Inc.

Developer Jackson Eighmy, assisted by architect Todd Chambers, returned for another session with HCC to move forward with his project at 409-411 Wyandotte St. They had received previous approval of this project in general direction and scope.

Eighmy’s plans for restoring the two storefronts in keeping with the spirit of the 1880s appearance of the much-altered façades was unanimously approved “as presented,” with the stipulation the new Pella windows for the upper stories are matched to existing window openings. The board okayed a fabricated steel staircase for a rebuilt rear addition, as it would be screened from view by a privacy fence. They also chose a more traditional-looking fabric awning covering an ADA access ramp over a proposed industrial-looking flat steel canopy hanging from the north wall.

The applicants are to return again for additional COAs as the complicated project progresses.

Palace Row, LLC owns the abutting structures that face west along Wyandotte Street, with a parking lot adjacent to the north wall where the Globe Theater used to be.

A proposal by New Bethany Ministries to replace existing asphalt shingles and EPDM rubber roofing for 337 Wyandotte St. gained approval. Representing the nonprofit that owns the brick building were Tina Sargent, accompanied by architect Sal Verrastro. The GAF Slateline shingles were viewed as appropriate for the third floor mansard roof. The applicants were also allowed to tear down a short, unused brick chimney.

The decision was unanimous.

“I vote no!” quipped Seth Cornish, as his fellow board member, Beth Starbuck, presented her proposed garage door replacement for behind 315 W. Fourth St. “Sorry, I was out of order,” he cheerfully added.

Starbuck explained the existing door is “falling apart,” and asked for approval to replace it with a 7-foot by 12-foot Clopay Bridgeport steel door. The garage faces Shawnee Street, a little-traveled back alley.

The replacement door was approved, with five commissioners voting yes and Starbuck abstaining.

The property is owned by Starbuck and Steven Goldner.

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. Hearings are regularly scheduled on the third Monday of the month.

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.