Canadian cuisine restaurant owners Matt and Christie Vymazal were granted a certificate of appropriateness from the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission for painting, signage and exterior light fixtures for The Flying V Poutinerie at 201 E. Third St. during the June 15 meeting held online. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the ‘virtual’ hearing was conducted through gotomeeting.com. The vote was unanimous.

The Vymazals were assisted with their proposal by architect Christine Ussler from Artefact, Inc., signage designer Jack Murray, and building owner John Skerpinias. The couple gained permission to paint an off-white color over the existing painted stucco on the front and side walls of the structure at the corner of East Third and Webster streets. Angled decorative wood plank elements on both walls are to be sanded and stained to a natural finish.

The approved building sign for the front façade has a black background, off-white lettering, and a red hexagon logo with a black maple leaf in the center. A maximum 3-inch thick, off-white frame would serve as a pinstripe around the panel. The applicants are to submit smaller gooseneck lamps choices for illuminating the sign at the front and sidewalk and proposed mural at the side of the building to the historic officer for final approval.

The awning for the adjacent Essence Hookah Lounge, which occupies the building’s second bay, is to come down and signage for it, similar to The Flying V, would be installed after approval at a later date.

When the board was asked to review a proposal for an artist’s mural for the Webster Street side of the structure, they recommended the applicants seek the advice of the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission. Although decisions on murals are not under their purview, the commissioners did recommend the artwork start a short distance above the sidewalk for easier maintenance.

Up for discussion, but not a vote, was proposed demolition of 14-18 W. Third St., which is “under agreement” for purchase by Joseph T. Posh. The board’s historic officer Jeff Long stated the two three-story brick residential-over-retail buildings were considered “contributing.” Built circa 1890, 14 W. Third, and 16-18 W. Third in 1905, are all that is left of the historic structures on that side of the street, according to Long.

Although the historic façades are architecturally intact above the first floor storefronts, the west wall is deteriorating and pulling away from the vacant building, among other structural issues. Posh said the wall was in “a state of collapse,” and with numerous roof leaks, the interior is in “pretty rough shape.”

Commissioners noted the damaged wall used to be an interior connecting wall to a neighboring building that no longer exists. Several wondered aloud why the wall had not been adequately repaired to serve as an exterior wall.

Darlene Heller, Bethlehem’s director of planning and zoning, and Shawn Fuller from the city’s business development department were available to answer questions. Heller said that wall may have been the subject of litigation over who was responsible for repairing it.

Craig Evans and Beth Starbuck voiced dismay at this example of “demolition by neglect,” but were not critical of the applicant, as he was not the current owner of the blighted property.

Posh was amenable to Roger Hudak’s suggestion of incorporating the structure’s façade into the new construction. “The front façades of those buildings are magnificent!” exclaimed Hudak.

The applicants were advised to return with a full engineer’s report on the condition of the entire building, detailed plans to scale for what would be built on the site, and assurances that any proposed project would be completed.

Heller was asked by Starbuck to research, “Who owns the wall?” and whether the current property owner or if the city is responsible for the oversight. “That’s a big question mark with me,” Starbuck added.

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. Previous to the pandemic, hearings were regularly scheduled on the third Monday of the month at city hall.

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

“A little different, but it worked,” remarked Roeder regarding conducting the meeting online.