The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission fielded six proposals at another three-plus hour long in-person, masked hearing Nov. 15. Five were approved and one was tabled at the livestreamed meeting where ‘high-rises’ dominated the landscape.

HCC historic guidelines consider anything taller than four stories “inappropriate” for what the district would have looked like from 1895 to 1950. The board has faced growing pressure from real estate developers and some in city government to allow for ever taller new construction.

Developer Dennis Benner and SITIO architect Antonio Fiol-Silva successfully argued for COAs for projects for two South Side properties. Chairman Gary Lader recused himself and turned over the gavel to Vice Chair Craig Evans for these two proposals.

There were no objections to Benner’s proposed demolition of the former South Side Boys & Girls Club at 117 E. Fourth St. Closed in 2017, the contemporary structure was considered “non-contributing” under historic district guidelines.

Several commissioners, along with Bethlehem residents Kim Carrell-Smith and Bill Scheirer, expressed concerns about the seven-story height of the center section. Some praised the overall design and expressed appreciation that a pair of three-story wings flanked the taller center of the building.

The new mixed-use building would house 34 parking spaces on a rear lower level. Retail space is planned for the first floor with residential units on the upper floors.

Bethlehem Director of Community and Economic Development Alicia Karner expressed support for the project and the quality of the design.

The vote was 5-1 for approval, with Seth Cornish against and Lader abstaining.

Fiol-Silva said suggestions from the board and public comment will be considered as they continue tweaking the design, especially in regards to the rear façade that faces the Greenway.

Benner’s plans for tearing down two deteriorated buildings at 24 - 30 W. Fourth St. and constructing a six-story mixed use apartment building on the site generated all “ayes,” except for Lader’s abstention.

Scheirer and Carrell-Smith weighed in on the project. Carrell-Smith said that it was a better plan than the previously submitted nine-story proposal. Scheirer considered it was too high.

The applicants were instructed to provide detailed shadow positions when they return for subsequent submissions.

Assisted by architect Antonio Fiol-Silva and attorney Paul Harak, developer Plamen “Rocco” Ayuazov sought permission to demolish a heavily altered building at 128 E. Third St. and replace it with a six-story commercial and residential structure. Their previous nine-story proposal had been tabled in October.

“The building is too high,” said Carrell-Smith. Scheirer remarked, “I find the building to be too big, too plain and too repetitive.”

Cornish opined it should be two stories shorter.

When a motion to deny a COA generated no support, a vote to approve was held.

Although still reluctant about the height of the revised six-story building design, the commissioners voted 5-2 to approve it, as some sections are to be four and five stories tall.

The dissenting votes were Lader and Cornish.

Represented by architect Jordan Clark, a proposal to construct a new 9-story mixed use apartment building that incorporates the façade of an existing contributing building at 317-327 S. New St. was tabled. With Ken Loush recusing himself from this agenda item, the others agreed the applicants need to provide more details on the project.

The property is owned by Rafael Palomino and Jeffrey Quinn of 325 South New Street Development, LLC.

Assisted by architect Christine Ussler, Chad Jarrah was granted permission to replace small double hung windows at 125 E. Third St. with larger casement windows to meet city emergency egress codes. The 3-story, circa 1910 masonry building is owned by Southside 125 LLC.

Lehigh Pizza and building owner George Lioudis, helped along by a design team of Lehigh University students led by Alexander Torres, scored a COA for new signage and paint for 13 W. Third St. The remodel includes replacing the awning that currently runs across the entire front façade with one that only protects the entryway. This will expose existing decorative trim and stained glass windows.

The redesigned logo features “Lehigh Pizza” with a Bethlehem star over it centered within an 8-foot diameter circle with additional copy contained within a circular double pinstripe. This painted aluminum wall sign is to replace the neon one on the east side of the building. A smaller two-sided hanging sign, similar in design, is to hang on the west corner of the front façade.

New historically appropriate colors were approved for the already painted brick and trim on the circa 1880s “contributing building.”

The decisions were unanimous for these two proposals.

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, and then voted on by city council before any project is allowed to proceed.