Representing the Sun Inn Preservation Association, Gary Dologite was awarded a certificate of appropriateness to install a temporary pergola-type structure on top of a trash corral located in the courtyard behind the Sun Inn at the West Walnut Street entrance.

Although he and most members of the Historical and Architectural Review Board gathered at the Rotunda, the Aug. 5 meeting was a “virtual’ one through GoToMeeting.

Dologite explained that tenants from the buildings adjoining the courtyard often tossed their bags of trash over the top of the wood fencing, instead of opening the gates and putting them directly into the dumpsters in the two-bay corral.

In addition to creating a health hazard, the piled-up garbage makes it difficult for the sanitation contractor to access the dumpsters with his vehicle.

The proposed gabled 2x6 wooden rafters would support a galvanized hardware cloth to form a roof over the structure to prevent access from the top of the corral. Vice Chairman Philip Roeder commented that the material was “tough stuff” and not prone to rust. It is to be painted flat black.

Since the structure is considered “temporary,” the COA would need to be reviewed on a yearly basis. When informed there are plans to place a permanent structure over the corral sometime in the future, the commissioners advised the applicant to return with any new proposals.

The historic stone building and property at 564 Main St. is owned by the Sun Inn Preservation Association.

While present online, Bruce Lawrence scored a COA for replacing the decorative white wood fence at the front and side of the home he and his wife Anne own at 404 Center St. The 5-foot-high Cambridge Spindle replacement fence is similar in style to the existing 10-year-old fence that is beginning to show its age.

The new fencing and gates are made of a composite material manufactured by Azek and measures 361 linear feet. The 5-foot, 5.5-inch square posts are to be topped off with Westport post caps.

Like the existing fence, it will be painted white.

Beth Starbuck, attending online, added the fence rails should be reinforced with aluminum to prevent sagging. Lawrence was also instructed to provide Roeder with a hardware cut sheet to provide more details on the proposed handles and hinges for the gates.

Headed by Chairman Fred Bonsall, the voting for both projects was unanimous.

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.