“A project we know well,” quipped Joseph Phillips Nov. 1.

Brandon Horlick returned to acquire an additional certificate of appropriateness for his home at 17 E. Church St., and the Historical and Architectural Review Board’s historic officer was not surprised to see him.

This time around, he received permission to replace a wood stockade fence with pointed edges along the west and north of his property with a dog ear profile wood stockade fence. The treated lumber fence would be 6 feet high and supported by 4-by-4 inch pressure treated posts with copper caps and black hardware. The fencing will connect to an existing brick wall at one end and a garage wall at the other. A section of existing fencing will be torn down and not replaced between the brick wall and the front yard.

Horlick also received approval for replacing siding at the rear addition of the house around the newly-installed doors with 1x6 Dutch Lap style boards to match existing siding.

The applicant was advised to prime the wood to protect it from the weather. He is to return at a later time for color approval before the final coat is applied.

Horlick and his wife Erica have appeared before the board multiple times as they renovate their historic dwelling.

The commissioners granted a COA for a roof and chimney replacement at 38 W. Market St.

Representing the owners of the two-story building with a red brick façade was attorney James F. Preston. He explained the existing slate roof was beyond its lifespan and the brick chimney at the west gable of the circa 1851 house needed to be rebuilt as the mortar was failing. The chimney is to match the one opposite it on the east gable. A matching spark arrester chimney cap is to be installed, as well.

Permission was given to replace the worn slate with GAF Slateline shingles in antique gray. A downspout and gutter at the back of the building is to be replaced in kind. Existing decorative snow guards are to be reinstalled.

Attorneys James Broughal and Leo V. DeVito, Jr. are listed as the building’s owners. The historic structure houses their law offices.

All votes were unanimous.

Although it was not an agenda item for the evening’s meeting, four residents addressed the commissioners on the controversial Walnut Street Parking Garage project at 33 Walnut St. discussed at a previous hearing. The demolition phase of the project received a certificate of appropriateness 4 to 2. Concerned residents continue to pan the proposed height of the new structure.

James Follweiler mentioned he had submitted an alternate proposal to the Parking Authority’s plans at the September City Council meeting. Follweiler proposes rebuilding the garage on the footprint of the existing one “to avoid an excessively tall garage and the anticipated excessively tall apartment building.”

“I have a 70-foot axe to grind,” remarked Dan Nigito, whose West Market Street home and business are adjacent to the parking garage. “The existing structure is 45-and-a-half feet,” said Nigito as he expressed concern that the proposed new construction will leave him staring at a wall that extends 30 feet beyond that. He invited the commissioners to come to his properties to view the back wall of the existing garage and imagine it being 20 or 30 feet taller.

Frank Feliciatto spoke of the pride he and his wife have in their East Center Street property and said he worries about how the new garage will affect the historic district.

Bruce Haines, managing partner at Hotel Bethlehem, was critical of how he perceived the city administration was manipulating HARB into making hasty decisions. “They are asking you to approve demolition without showing you the replacement plan,” he said. “HARB should be turning down a 70-foot garage.”

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.