Weary from dealing with a seeming parade of demolition proposals, the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission Oct. 13 unanimously tabled one by Larry Eighmy for the rear addition behind 409-411 Wyandotte St. Although the three-story commercial and residential buildings date back to circa 1880, the rear addition and three-story stair tower were built during the early-to-mid 20th century.

Representing the proposal were Larry Eighmy and Larson Lovdal from the Stone House Group. They argued that the structure is unsound, citing a collapsed roof and other issues that have caused it to draw the attention of the city’s health department.

The commission instructed the applicants to return with more information, including photos of the condition of the addition that they’ve slated for demo, and a report from a structural engineer. The board also required them to provide a plan for how Eighmy and Lovdal intend to make the exposed interior walls and openings watertight once the section is leveled to grade.

Historic officer Jeff Long noted that a proposal from eight years ago to renovate the building and addition had been approved by BHCC. The commission members were dismayed that the building had apparently been neglected since then. Regarding the original 1880s section of the building that fronts Wyandotte Street, Eighmy replied, “I have a desire to fix it. I have a desire to keep it from falling down.”

The addition is directly behind 409 Wyandotte St. and is attached to the back area of the side wall of its neighbor at 411 Wyandotte St. Both properties are owned by Eighmy through Sycamore Hill Farm Development. He told the commission that he plans to eventually combine 409-411 and develop them as one building.

Eighmy was somewhat more successful with his proposal to create a weather-tight enclosure around the entire building, including new windows, storefront and doors at 327 Broadway for first floor tenant Seven Sirens Brewing Company. The circa mid-1880s supply company storefront building that had later been converted into an auto sales and service business, now serves as a parking garage that extends to West Fourth Street. The rear of the structure that faces West Fourth Street has few traces remaining of its previous existence as a department store.

Accompanying the developer were architect Elliott Nolter, along with Jordan Serulneck, Josh Divers and Aaron Nelson from Seven Sirens.

The applicants were approved for their façade treatment of the building fronting Broadway, including adding a corrugated steel awning, pending color choices. Their plans for pushing out the sidewalk into the street to create a patio area is not under the purview of the board. Façade renovations for the western side of the building, which faces a parking lot, were allowed with changes. The proposed solid garage door would be replaced with one with all glass panels. The second floor will have operable, divided light windows, as well as one operable, divided light window for the first floor. Non-operable windows will have the same appearance as the operable ones. The applicants were advised to return with revisions to the W. Fourth St. façade plans.

COAs were granted in May and June 2018 for this property owned by Sycamore Hill Farm Development for previous renovation proposals.

Kevin Wenck from Fast Signs, representing Comfort Suites, received unanimous approval to replace existing signage with new signs that reflect the change in the hotel’s new corporate logo and colors. Built in 1992, the four-story contemporary structure at 120 W. 3rd St. is considered “non-contributing” by the board. The hotel’s name in red serif type and “Hill to Hill Grill” signage displayed on the porte-cochère at the main entrance is to be replaced with a medium to dark orange letter “C” followed by “Comfort” in dark blue and “Suites” in dark orange. Similar channel letters will be installed at the cornice on the building’s north façade.

The free-standing pylon sign with the new look and a 24-inch wide base will replace the existing sign mounted on an 8-inch pole. The commission requested a pinstripe be placed on blue background on the new pylon sign.

Small directional signs featuring the orange “C” logo and a white arrow on blue background are to be placed around the building.

Marco Lu, accompanied by contractors Jay Kassis and Johnny Fang, received permission to install an exhaust pipe for a commercial exhaust hood on the side of the three-story building at 328 S. New St. The proposed ductwork that would run up the side of the building to the roof is needed to vent kitchen exhaust from Lu’s Japanese noodle bar on the lower level. Approval was granted pending the vent being installed as close to the building as code allows and painted to match the color of the painted brick and decorative parapet. Lu and his contractors were instructed to install the fasteners supporting the structure to mortar joints and to provide the historic officer with a painting schedule. The property is owned by One West Fourth Street Assoc., LCC.

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.