Returning to meet with the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission after an initial consultation in March, Greg Heitman, owner of 337 Vine St., was granted a certificate of appropriateness to build an addition to an existing two-story mixed use building. Accompanied by architect Daniel L. Harrigan at the hearing, Heitman followed the board’s recommendations with his proposal to demolish the existing roof, add a third story, install new windows, new cornice, and new doors. The street level would be smooth stucco with the upper stories clad in smooth vinyl siding. Vice chair Gary Lader filled in for vacationing HARB chairman Philip Roeder at the May 15 meeting in the Banana Factory.

The unanimous approval included stipulations that Heitman and Harrigan enlarge the first floor storefront windows and install three-quarter light doors. Although they are to provide updated drawings for board review, Heitman will be able to file for a zoning variance for the project with the city.

Greg Salomoni, owner of the Broadway Social at 217 Broadway, accompanied by architect John Lee, Jr., also was granted approval by the board for his proposed to expand his restaurant and nightclub from the renovated 1885 fire house into an adjacent building at 215 Broadway. They came prepared with detailed drawings of the façade which showed how they planned to raise the windows and cornice of the 1920s storefront at 215 to align with the taller Victorian era building next door. Salomoni was instructed to return at a later time with stucco color, tile and metal samples.

Chester Taylor attended the hearing as a walk-in. The owner of the Taylor Family Fuel & Mini Marts at 306 S. New St., was granted approval for a proposed replacement sign at the corner of S. New and E. Third. Taylor told the board about how multiple sales and mergers between his fuel suppliers have impacted his business. With backed-up traffic choking his New St. gas station/mini mart, his current supplier, Shell, has dropped him and he needs to contract with Mobil, which requires him to upgrade the pumps and replace his three-foot by six-inch wide sign with a five foot wide digital one. The approval allowed for the display of the price of gas and diesel on the digital sign, pending Taylor providing a drawing of it for review.

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. Hearings are regularly scheduled on the third Monday of the month.