The Historical and Architectural Review Board granted a certificate of appropriateness for a new manufactured roofing product for 418 – 420 Main St. at the May 1 regular meeting.

Accompanied by contractor Chris Kunsman, Jedd Foulk from Bethlehem Area Moravians convinced the commissioners to be agreeable to replacing worn slate shingle roofing with a manufactured product that resembles slate. The new shingles are interlocking.

In July 2023, HARB had rejected a proposal to replace the slate with GAF Slateline designer shingles, as the historic building is highly visible. Home to Musselman Jewelers, it is adjacent to Central Moravian Church and several other colonial structures erected by the Moravians.

Chairperson Connie Postupack had suggested replacing the slate with Ironstone porcelain tiles. She explained the material resembles slate.

Kunsman and Foulk returned with a proposal to replace the worn slate with DaVinci Province Slate synthetic shingles made from composite materials. “slate gray” was chosen from a palette of six natural-looking colors. The applicants explained, while the new roofing is comparable to slate in cost, there is a shortage of actual slate.

After examining samples of the new roofing material, the commissioners were impressed with its resemblance to slate, as well as the range of colors available. At 12 inches by 11.5 inches, it was the same size as the slate shingle that was furnished for comparison.

Approval was contingent on copper being used for valleys, flashing, gutters and downspouts.

Returning with architect Jeffery Long, Historic Bethlehem Museums & Sites (HBMS) President LoriAnn Wukitsch quickly received approval to replace the sign band signage at 505 Main St.

They had scored a COA for a blade sign and window signage at the previous meeting. The new signage features the HBMS logo at left and reads “DRY GOODS SHOPPE,” while maintaining the same color, font and type treatment of the existing “VISITOR CENTER” sign.

Schropp Dry Goods Shoppe, the new commercial tenant occupying the space, is scheduled to open this month.

Moravian Academy trustee Joe Landrigan was successful with his roof replacement proposal, as well as gaining the OK to repair brick masonry joints and repaint all wood surfaces at 422 Heckewelder Place.

Owned by Bethlehem Area Moravians, the circa 1857 brick building is on the site of what once was a 1790 structure that housed the Second Seminary for Girls.

It is now home to Moravian Academy Lower School.

While keeping up over the years with replacing individual slate shingles, Landrigan said it is time for a new roof.

Although the building is in the cluster of colonial-era structures erected by the Moravians, the GAF Slateline antique slate shingles were approved, as the schoolhouse, perched on top of a hill, is 4.5 stories tall and the shingles are not all that visible from street level.

“We’re taking care of some deferred maintenance,” remarked Landrigan of several of the other proposed repairs. Mortar and any replacement bricks are to match existing. Other repairs are to be done in kind and the paint will match existing colors.

He said the work will commence during the second week of June and continue throughout the summer while school is out.

Homeowners Todd and Tracey Stanton won approval for installing new fencing at the rear of their circa 1875 house at 450 High St. The black aluminum fence will tie the building and deck to existing fencing on the property.

The approximately 4-foot high fence will have a wrought iron look with decorative spikes.

The two 20-foot sections will be supported by 2-by-2 aluminum posts. A locking gate of the same material and color will be included with one of the sections.

The applicants explained they needed it to keep their dog safely confined to the backyard.

While visible from the front of their yard, much of the new fence would be screened by existing landscaping.

All voting on COAs was unanimous.