Golazo House at 123 W. Fourth St. was the first of three small businesses to be granted certificates of appropriateness for signage by the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission during the Aug. 21 Banana Factory meeting. Represented by co-owner Javier Alvarado, approval received to install a solid or cutout metal sign featuring the name and logo. The building owned by Jose and Rafaela Nunez was the former home of Horns Restaurant. Alvarado was also given the option to repaint the windowless front door red or to replace it with one having a three-quarter window. If he chooses a replacement, Alvarado must submit the design for approval by historic officer Chris Ussler.

Playa Bowls Bethlehem owner Jim Dale quickly obtained a certificate of appropriateness for pin-mounted façade signage and gooseneck lighting for his new health food establishment at 310 E. Third St. The previous tenant of the Polk Street Commercial Building had been a salon and spa. When asked by Ussler “What’s Playa Bowls?” Dale replied, “We sell acai berry bowls, pitaya bowls and kale bowls.” Craig Evans quipped “No cheeseburger bowls?”

Alberto Cruz and Maxy Jimenez were approved for window and door signs for their Happy Fix repair business at 230 E. Third St. after agreeing to a compromise between Chris Ussler’s recommendations and the already installed signage that Ussler had found inappropriate for the district and out of compliance with zoning. The deep pink color scheme with white lettering and “happy face” logos for the “Happy Fix” sign could remain on the transom. The similar “We Fix It All” sign with images of a pair of cell phones could remain at the top of the storefront window.

A large “Activation” sign with a solid background at the bottom of the storefront window,as well as another sign that blocks out a part of the glass on the door, will be removed. Cruz and Jimenez agreed to post the address and business hours in 4-inch-high white letters on the door. The new business owners said they had not been advised by their landlord about the BHCC.

BHCC permitted the replacement of 12 aluminum windows with stationary and single hung aluminum windows or a lower-cost fiberglass product for the structure at the rear of the Primera Iglesia Bautista Hispana Church. Representing the house of worship were Lorna Rodriquez-Medina and Ishmael Medina, accompanied by construction contractor William Knoll. The new windows are to be installed on the third floor at 822 E. Fourth St. and are to be painted brown to match the rest of the windows on the building.

Representing 321 W. Fourth St., contractor Paul Thiessen and comptroller Tina Sargent were given approval to replace downspouts and gutters and repair or replace of windows. They were also given the go ahead to restore the masonry, cedar siding, trim and woodwork of the Federal Revival style house owned by Episcopal Ministries of D.B. Thiessen apologized for not coming to the board earlier, as unauthorized vinyl replacement windows had already been purchased and a few installed. Sargent said this had been a result of miscommunication between client and contractor. They agreed to restore the original windows and install energy-efficient storms, or replace them with aluminum-clad wood windows.

Thiessen and Sargent were also allowed to repair or remove two chimneys, pending their choice of a new heating system for the two-and-a-half story house that was once the home of the late Mary Pongracz, a charter BHCC board member.

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.

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 BHCC’s recommendations are later reviewed, then voted on by city council before any project is allowed to proceed.