The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission issued a certificate of appropriateness for revisions to an eight-story high-end hotel at the Oct. 21 meeting held in the Rotunda.

Representing the new owners, Tony Seitz and JJ Fives of High Associates, along with architect Francis Fox and attorney Joe Fitzpatrick, presented modifications to the plans for a Hilton-branded hotel presented at a previous meeting for 14 – 36 W. Third St.

The wedge-shaped site, owned by Patriot Ventures, LLC/High Hotels, LTD is located between the six-story Gateway at Greenway Park and Comfort Suites with an undeveloped section of the South Bethlehem Greenway behind it.

The two vacant commercial buildings at 14 – 18 W. Third St. had been approved for demolition by city council in 2021, overruling Bethlehem HCC’s recommendation for preservation. At the time, there was a proposal to construct an eight-story apartment building there, also allowed by city council, but it was never built.

Façade revisions include window size and placement, addition of a rooftop dining space, structural canopy at the lobby entrance and other material changes.

During public comment, community member Bill Shire and resident William Seixas spoke out against such a high structure for the historic district. “This hotel is another step in the destruction of the South Bethlehem and its historic character,” said Shire.

“All it does is now push out the poor and the culture of what South Bethlehem was,” added Seixas, who owns the nearby restaurant Couchpota.doh!

The applicants agreed to lowering the cornice on the western-facing tower by six feet and to set back top portions of the structure to reduce its high profile. They were asked to reconsider the proposed spandrel glass to mask the kitchen along a part of the building that faces West Third Street. It was suggested the kitchen be relocated and windows with transparent glazing be installed there. If the space was too tight for the kitchen to be moved, it was advised the space could be utilized for community art installations.

The COA states the building is to be changed from the previously-approved mixed use to hotel use.

More details will need to be seen regarding design and construction materials in ongoing meetings as the plans progress for the project.

Seixas and his wife Marylou, accompanied by a Fusion Solar Energy contractor Anthony Diaz, were permitted to install 22 solar panels on the roof of their home at 116 W. Graham Place. The placement of the panels along the southern-facing rooftops cannot be seen from the public right of way.

The house, built circa 1880, is Victorian Gothic in style.

Business owners Marc and Joey Kubushefski scored approval for window signage for 125 E. Third St. The perforated vinyl window decal for “Paranormal Pizza” measures 45 inches by 52 inches.

The three-story residential over commercial masonry building, built circa 1910, is owned by Chad Jarrah.

Representing Holy Infancy Roman Catholic Church, Joseph McCarthy and Friar Andrew Gehringer were granted approval to replace the existing metal door and frame on the building’s northwest corner at 312 E. Fourth St. with one of similar construction. This side entrance to the place of worship faces Taylor Street.

The Gothic Revival church was built in 1865 as St. Michaels and later expanded in 1886 as Holy Infancy.

Accompanied by contractor Mark Wagner, Joan Morykin received approval for renovation work on porticos at the east and west sides of her home at 1006 Prospect Ave. While they are removing rotted portions of the structures and rebuilding in kind, the applicants sought permission to remove four small pent roofs of the front and back of the porticos. It was explained these nonfunctional “tacked on” decorative elements create structural issues for the porticos.

Todd Chambers requested that these elements be photographed and documented before removal.

The flat roofing on top of the porticos is to be replaced, as well.

The Colonial Revival residence was once the home of engineer Samuel L. Caum, who had worked for Thomas Edison.

The property, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places is owned by Morykin and her husband, Victor Stabin.

All voting was unanimous.

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.