The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission issued certificates of appropriateness for two signage proposals for businesses located on East Third Street at the Nov. 20 meeting held in the Rotunda.

Representing 29 E. Third St., Timothy Olsen from Forman Sign Company was permitted to install four façade signs for the two-story building’s owner, Bank of America. These replace existing signs with the financial institution’s rebranded corporate logo.

“Bank of America” in dark blue san serif letters with the diamond-shaped red and blue flagscape logo to the right is to be centered within the 38 foot sign band on the building’s front façade. Two smaller signs with the company name and logo replace signs posted at street level flanking the building’s entrance.

The replacement wall sign for the rear wall measures 133 inches by 54 inches and features the flagscape graphic centered over lettering.

All four non-illuminated signs are on silver aluminum backer panels with red borders.

The applicant was asked to move the red border away from the edges to create a pinstripe look and to reuse existing fasteners. If new anchor points need to be drilled, the signs should be attached to mortar joints.

The stately Classic Revival style building with a stone front was built circa 1925.

Alibi Bar and Lounge owner Orwa Makhoul, accompanied by contractor Ray Rabeh from Project Printed, successfully obtained a COA for installation of a wall sign within the sign band of his new business at 203 E. Third St.

Acrylic letters spelling out “Alibi” centered over acrylic graphics of a martini glass, treble clef, a fork and knife would be pin mounted on a black backer board. They would be finished in either bronze or brushed gold.

Since the new lounge shares a sign band with The Flying V Poutinerie next door, the commissioners asked the applicants to add a pinstripe to align with the white one around the neighbor’s sign. When Makhoul said that a white pinstripe would look “ugly” around his sign, they responded that it be made thinner and to match the color of his logo.

The circa 1920 commercial masonry building with a significantly-altered, wood-clad façade is owned by John Skeparnias.

All votes were unanimous.

Before adjourning, Vice Chair Craig Evans suggested they look into what companies manufacture energy-efficient windows that feature clear glass that would align with historic guidelines and energy codes. With much of what is available as replacement or new windows are slightly tinted, they agreed that it would be helpful for them and for COA applicants to have this information.

The commissioners also discussed filling a vacant board seat with someone with “business interests” in the historic district, like a realtor or small business owner, as per guidelines.

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.