Erica Horlick was granted a certificate of appropriateness for a proposal on multiple projects for 17 E. Church St. at the Historical and Architectural Review Board’s regular meeting April 5.

She represented the circa 1870 house she and her husband, Brandon own.

Primary was permission to knock down a tall, leaning brick chimney at the rear of the building. Horlick explained it is a non-functioning chimney and poses a safety hazard. The fireplace would also be removed from the building’s interior to possibly accommodate sliding glass doors. Although historic officer Joseph Phillips noted that area can be viewed from the back alley public way, the deteriorating chimney may not have been original to the house, having been added later without a proper footer.

As there are no concrete plans for that wall once the chimney is torn down, the applicant was advised to cover it with watertight particleboard and return with detailed plans for that back wall.

Other approved aspects of the homeowners’ proposal involve repair and replacement of the wood siding and shutters “in kind,” with historic paint colors to be submitted later for approval.

Permission to replace the main and porch roofs with GAF Slateline Antique Slate shingles with copper valleys and flashing was granted. The existing K-style gutters and downspouts can be repaired “in kind” or must be replaced with half round gutters and round downspouts.

The COA also allows the repair of rear porch posts and raising the Bilco entrance door to level.

Representing 323 Center St., contractor Jeff Wilson quickly scored approval for replacing a deteriorated slate roof with new slate shingles, along with copper flashing, capping and drip edge.

The circa 1840 Colonial style brick house is owned by Frank Filiciotto.

Dennis Murphy returned with two proposals for his house at 36 E. Wall St.

Originally approved to replace a wood picket fence and wood arbor at the rear of the property with a brick wall with wrought iron gate in August 2022, Murphy received permission for his revised plans to construct a wooden fence. The applicant stated the mason they had contracted with had moved on to another job, and, “we are now going to do it in wood.” The replacement fencing will be cedar planks with a circa 1890s wrought-iron gate. To support the massive gate, 8 in. x 8 in. posts with copper caps are to be used.

Since Murphy was replacing “Like for like,” the board did not need to take action with a previously-approved garage roof and gutter replacement.

Murphy sought advice on repointing the front of the circa 1860 red brick house.

The property is owned by Dennis and Sheri Murphy.

Homeowner John Fitzcharles swiftly scored a COA for asphalt shingle roof replacement with GAF Slateline Antique Slate shingles for 334 West St.

Representing 428 High St., contractor Tony Planas received permission to install one mini split mechanical system, to be located on the north façade along Wall Street and approximately four feet above grade. It will be screened by plantings.

Two other units to be located on the south façade, within the open second floor porch, are not visible to public right-of-way, and did not require a COA.

The large, circa 1900 brick building at the corner of High and Wall streets is owned by Paul Biondo.

Voting was unanimous on all agenda items.

The commissioners discussed possibly processing repairs to a masonry wall at the Kemerer Museum of Decorative Arts at 427 N. New St., and renovations to the 1869 Luckenbach Mill, in the Colonial Industrial Quarter through administrative approval.

The Historical and Architectural Review Board regularly meets the first Wednesday of every month to review all exterior changes proposed to buildings in the Bethlehem Historic District north of the Lehigh River. When a proposed project receives a certificate of appropriateness from the board, applicants must wait for City Council to vote on it before proceeding. Meetings can be viewed on YouTube.