Evan Blose from FastSigns was granted certificates of appropriateness by the Historical and Architectural Review Board for two back-to-back clients at the Nov. 2 meeting held at the Rotunda.

“You should have an office here,” quipped HARB historic officer Joseph Phillips to Blose, who has become a fairly regular applicant at the hearings with signage proposals.

Blose and Jennifer Roan represented Payson House Condominiums at 77 W. Broad St. with a proposal to install three directory signs for emergency personnel. They explained an ambulance crew had experienced difficulty locating a unit while responding to a recent medical incident within the building.

The commissioners questioned why the “scrolly, frilly” 36-inch-square sign for a somewhat linear structure was so decorative. Blose responded, “It’s what the customer wants.”

As it “checked all the boxes in the guidelines,” the proposal was approved as presented with the sign fastened to masonry joints. The signage lists commercial and residential units.

The brick residential over retail building managed by Payson House LLC was erected in 1984.

Blose’s two-sided hanging sign design for 574 Main St. was quickly OK’d. The 24-inch by 36-inch sign for Convergent featuring a logo and copy reading “Making Technology Simple!” is to hang on an existing bracket installed over the main entrance.

The three-story brick commercial structure is owned by 574 Main St. LLC.

Alan Lowcher was awarded a COA to repaint the trim on the house he and his wife Patricia own at 438 High St. The black paint to accentuate ornate details on the front porch matches the color of the shutters.

The 2 1/2-story Federal style brick home dates back to circa 1865.

Representing her landlord, tenant Olivia Price scored approval for a lighting fixture proposal for 30 E. Market St. Price informed the board that the installation of these lights was required by a Sept. 15 inspection. One style of lamp with a dusk to dawn sensor is to be placed on the side of the building in two locations. Another lamp style is for the rear of the building. These are to be mounted adjacent to entrance doors for apartments 2 and 5.

Although both styles of lighting fixtures were approved, the commissioners encouraged Price to advise the landlord to choose one style for all four locations for consistency.

All voting 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. Meetings can be viewed on YouTube.