The city's Historical and Architectural Review Board interjected several unplanned hearings into its preferred scheduled-only agenda Oct. 1 at city hall, but all proved brief. Despite the unplanned appearances' brevity, however, the meeting still lasted more than an hour and a half.

The committee is an advisory body to city council which works to maintain the integrity of buildings in historic districts, advising owners and residents how to make necessary or cosmetic changes while keeping with the neighborhood aesthetic.

At this meeting, committee members … agreed to recommend certificates of appropriateness to council regarding a reroofing on Center Street, another on an unused old building in Union Cemetery (itself a part of the greater Nisky Hill cemetery) and the addition of a tiny "BYOB" sign in a Main Street shop sign in a Main Street shop window.

Much of the meeting was actually focused on the painting of 518 Main St., called "Tiger Hall" for the longstanding sign on its front. Applicant Jennifer Burns said she was told – abruptly – the building had to be repainted to pass inspection before her early November purchase closing date. Acting swiftly, she arrived at the meeting with a painter and designer and hoping to clear the unexpected hurdle and move on to the next.

After nearly 20 minutes of discussion about the paint scheme – the brand, number and use of colors in what places with consideration to shadows across the building's surface throughout the day – committee member and former painter Holly Sachdev offered to give Burns' bunch a quick hand while other business was attended to.

When they returned, the scheme was mapped out and discussed a bit more and then quickly approved to help Burns complete her closing. She was told council will likely review her proposal Oct. 20.

In the interim, a resident hoping to open a salon on East Broad Street sought permission for signage. She was immediately told the lot in question was not within the historic district and she only needed to go to zoners. Laughing, the woman quickly gathered up her belongings and said, "Even though I'm a young resident, I'm glad you do this every month – take pride in the history of Bethlehem."

With hasty thanks she dashed from the Rotunda for another office.

HARB meets every first Wednesday of the month at 4 p.m.