The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission awarded a certificate of appropriateness for a proposed monument wall to developer Dennis Benner for 306 S. New St. at the Nov. 21 meeting held in the Rotunda.

Assisting Benner was Jason Monroig from Spillman Farmer Architects. The 46-foot long by 1-foot-wide masonry and metal wall is to protect the building’s main entrance and vehicular drop-off area.

At center is a 10-foot section with a sign reading “306 The Gateway.” Lettering is anodized aluminum on a black background. A PennDOT-approved “Exit Only” sign and a reflective stripes sign are attached at each end of the wall. The front of the wall is a brick veneer to match the building’s brick veneer. Black or dark gray steel truss units are to connect the center section with masonry posts on the ends.

Decorative black or dark gray iron bollards for high-traffic locations along the sidewalk were also approved.

Benner remarked they had waited to work on this phase of the construction to coordinate it with the city’s work on the South New Street Corridor Redevelopment Project.

“Is there any activity with the potential to have a tenant in the first floor front corner?” asked Vice Chairman Craig Evans. “The Bethlehem zoning code has its requirements,” Benner responded with a chuckle, “Otherwise the answer would be yes.” Currently only a retail or service entity can occupy the space.

Built in 2018, the property is owned by Greenway One, LLC.

Restaurant owner Mei Xiomg, accompanied by Jerry Steward from Sign&Print, was approved for new window signage for 102 E. Fourth St. The red and off white vinyl graphic and lettering for “Wonder Kitchen Farm to Table Cuisine” adheres to the outside of the glass panels above the entrance and storefront windows.

Although there is a bracket available for it, the applicants did not apply for a hanging sign.

They were advised to return with a new proposal for it if they wished to put one up in the future.

The three-story painted brick building built circa 1890 and owned by Campus Hill, was formerly home to Jenny’s Kuali.

D-Signs & Awnings sales rep Paul Gunkel returned to score a COA for his revised signage proposal for 707 E. Fourth St. This time he appeared with House of Fadez Barbershop owner Jason Roman.

The updated design incorporated several of the commissioners’ suggestions made when it was tabled at the previous meeting. The 12-inch by 96-inch MAX-metal vinyl print flush mounted sign was moved to the building’s sign band from the transom where it had been originally located. The requested pinstripe was added to the non-illuminated sign panel.

The window signage was simplified from what was previously proposed with a large diamond-shaped vinyl sign with business name and electric razor graphic centered within one of four storefront window panels and the business hours posted in another adjacent to the entrance door.

The applicants assured the HCC that the LED lights framing the window’s interior had been removed.

The three-story masonry building built circa 1900 is owned by Mei Juan Chen.

A roof replacement proposed by building owner Jesus Velez and Rene Martinez from Hill of Hope Renovations Inc. was quickly OK’d by the commissioners for 326 Polk St.

The worn and historically-inappropriate architectural shingles on the mansard roof are to be replaced with GAF antique slate line shingles. It was stipulated copper step flashing would be used.

The two-story Dutch Colonial Revival style residence was built circa 1900.

All voting was unanimous.

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.