The Historical and Architectural Review Board unanimously granted certificates of appropriateness for signage to two shops at the Nov. 2 meeting.

Business owner Julian Sghiatti successfully scored approval for a double-sided blade sign for his Clusters Popcorn storefront at 530 Main St. It is to be hung from an existing bracket. Measuring 30 inches by approximately 24 inches, the sign features the company logo of an off-white banner with dark blue letting and backdrop, and a lighter blue border at the edges.

The four-story brick commercial building is owned by Steve Holiman.

Evan Blose from Fast Signs was OK’d to install a bracket and hanging sign for his client, Crave, at 77 W. Broad St., No. 11C on the corner of the brick building. The 30-inch diameter sign features the healthy smoothie establishment’s black and green round logo on both sides against an off-white background suspended from a new black decorative bracket fastened to mortar joints.

West Broad LLC owns the circa 1980s building.

Representing the Moravian Book Shop, Jackie Parks from MKSD Architects, was granted a COA for exterior lighting to highlight tenant signage and the main entryway of 444 Main St. Unlike the modern-looking strip lighting that had been rejected at the previous meeting, the approved black gooseneck lamps were unanimously considered appropriate for a historic district. Four fixtures are to be installed over the entrance, while one gooseneck lamp would illuminate a blade sign at the end of the storefront.

The historic bookstore is owned by Moravian College.

Michael Metzger from Alloy5, representing 2 W. Market St., was granted approval for reinstalling an existing double swing gate at the entrance to an existing access drive, and install new fencing flanking it. The antique cast iron gate, currently in storage, will be refinished. The new fencing is to match the existing wrought iron fence along the east side of the property.

Herm and Claire Rij own the painted brick Italianate house.

Samantha Barrett’s proposal for paving a rear parking space, erecting a small deck and outdoor lighting, received approval with some changes for 30 E. Wall St.

Approval was given pending the 10-foot by 10-foot deck made from rot-resistant ipe wood, with a clear sealant, would be flush with the brick patio. HARB members viewed the proposed raised deck as a tripping hazard.

The outdoor pathway fixtures and two accent lights for the back of the house were considered too modern. Barrett was instructed to resubmit a walking path lighting scheme and wall washer lighting plan for the rear of the building to the historic officer and vice chair.

The Bethlehem star light for a side porch and concrete parking slab was approved as submitted.

The two-and-a-half story red brick dwelling is home to Christian and Samantha Barrett.

Walk-in Barbara Fraust, representing the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission, sought advice on a proposed mural for the city’s Walnut Street Garage at 33 W. Walnut St. She came in response to criticism about the mural expressed at the public comment forum during the October HARB meeting.

Some of the graphics on the concept sketch depict the Central Moravian Church cupola, wedding ring-pattered quilt and Bethlehem steel. Other images in the sketch were panned then as too “generic.”

Chairman Fred Bonsall explained to Fraust that the commissioners believed they would be exceeding their authority to dictate what an artist can paint on a mural.

Fraust replied the Fine Arts Commission permits an artist to create a mural based on “process and experience.” She argued, “Content is not our purview.” Fraust requested the board provide suggestions for content, even if it took them out of their “comfort zone.”

A COA was granted for a mural to be installed on the parking garage, “with a designs of abstract graphic nature with recognizable elements of Bethlehem.”

The Historical and Architectural Review Board regularly meets the first Wednesday of every month to review all exterior changes proposed to buildings in the Bethlehem Historic District north of the Lehigh River. When a proposed project receives a certificate of appropriateness from the board, applicants must wait for City Council to vote on it before proceeding.