While okay with the front flaps and black and light gray vertical stripes, the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission expressed frustration with an awning proposal for 21-23 E. Third St. at the Sept. 18 meeting held in the Rotunda.

Representing the two-story commercial building built circa 1920 were owner Dr. Ann Hunsicker-Morrissey, interior designer Margaret Pook and MKSD architect Todd Chambers.

Historic Officer Jeffrey Long pointed out that two now-installed awnings on the street level and four on the second-floor windows deviated from open-sided ones that had been previously approved.

Hunsicker-Morrissey and Pook explained they decided to close the ends with fabric to hide the supporting hardware. Pook noted the neighboring Domino’s Pizza has awnings with closed ends installed on the second-floor windows.

“You should have inquired before changing and installing,” responded Vice Chairman Craig Evans.

The applicants were instructed to pull back the fabric on the end one of the first floor awnings to expose the supports. Chief Building Inspector Mike Simonson agreed to stop by the property to evaluate the framing and determine if the closed fabric ends can be opened up to adhere to historic guidelines.

They were granted a certificate of appropriateness for their signage proposal for Crewy Woo Boutique. Black fabricated aluminum letters form the company name and blue flower logo. Black die-cut vinyl letters spell out “Boutique” with a black pinstripe on a light gray signboard background. The storefront sign measures 112 inches by 30 inches and is to align with its neighboring tenant’s “Toastique” signage and backlit in similar fashion.

A 41-inch by 33-inch rectangular blade sign with company name, logo and pinstripe was approved to hang on a black bracket.

Architect Elliot Nolter scored a COA for design revisions and additional details for 301-327 Broadway. Owned by Sycamore Hill Farm Development and Lawrence Eighmy, the properties have undergone extensive renovation work that has converted a former parking garage into a beer hall and separate county magisterial courtroom space. The complicated project has come before the board multiple times over the last few years.

A strung café light support system and guard rail for a rooftop biergarten for Seven Sirens Brewing Company was approved with the stipulation the applicant furnish cut sheets or samples of the lights to Simonson. These elements will be visible from the southwest on Broadway. The poles are to be painted gray.

An updated glass and aluminum storefront system was approved for the façade facing West Fourth Street.

George Lioudis, with assistance of Jerry Vanianatos from MV Builders, received permission to replace the roof of the building he owns at 13 W. Third St. While replacing the existing asphalt shingles with GAF Slateline shingles in Antique Slate aligns with historic guidelines, the applicants were allowed to use galvanized steel sheet metal for flashing and open valleys. This is an exception to the typical HCC recommendation that all valleys are lined with copper. Vanianatos successfully argued that copper would be significantly more expensive than galvanized steel for his client.

The 2.5-story painted brick building is home to Lehigh Pizza.

All votes were unanimous.

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.