The Historical and Architectural Review Board approved a revised design for a roof top addition at 555 Main St. by a vote of 4 to 2 at their April 2 meeting held at City Hall’s Rotunda.

Returning after their original proposal for upward expansion of the circa 1930s Woolworth Building was tabled at the March meeting were Lou Pektor III and Gabriel Solms from Ashley Development. They were assisted by MKSD architects Todd Chambers and Shayne Serrano, along with attorney Julie Bernstein.

The certificate of appropriateness was granted for the construction of two additional stories set back from the existing two-story façade that fronts Main Street and three additional stories at the rear of the building that fronts Rubel Street.

Among the board’s previous recommendations incorporated into the resubmitted proposal, Chambers pointed out the redesign increases the setback from the front from six feet to 28 feet, eight inches. “It was elected to change the upper portion of the addition to a mansard roof, said Chambers, “So, that it has the appearance of a rooftop instead of a massive brick façade.

This reflects similar architecture nearby, explained Chambers as he also mentioned the tall buildings along Main Street and the existing parapet of the former dime store helps conceal the new construction.

It was stipulated the mansard roof and dormer material shall be standing seam metal with the dormers having a roof rake overhang of six inches and a roof eave overhang of 12 inches.

Three Bethlehem residents provided public comment.

Marty Smith expressed support for the redesigned project.

Initially opposed to the rooftop addition, Chris Carson cautiously voiced support for the changes as well. He urged “due caution when projects like this are presented.”

“The project has improved,“ said Mary Feliciato. She and Carson were grateful for Joe McGavin’s critiques of the proposal during its evolution.

Vice Chair Diana Hodgson and Joseph McGavin voted no.

Representing 442 High St., contractor Adam Waldron quickly garnered a COA to replace a deteriorated slate roof with GAF Slateline shingles in the Antique Slate color, rebuild two front elevation chimneys using lime mortar and replace in-kind any damaged bricks, as well as masonry repair of brick spalling and mortar deterioration on the walls.

The proposal to repair and repaint all soffits, fascia, wood window, frames, white wood siding, wood window sashes, all red wood doors and black shutters was also approved.

James and Johannah Valentine own the property

Sage Roseberry of Alan Kunsman Roofing scored fast approval for a proposal to replace roof shingles on the rear of the building using GAF Slateline Antique Slate Grey asphalt shingles and replace the clapboard siding with new wooden clapboard siding in the same style, size and finish for 25 East Wall St.

The COA states that roof flashings is to be of a real copper material and roof edge materials should match the color of the adjacent trim. Any touch-up or new painting shall be done with paint that matches the existing paint color.

Sarah McIntosh is listed as the homeowner.

Leonard De Roche was granted a COA to have Seifert Contracting replace storm-damaged GAF Slateline Antique Slate Grey asphalt shingles in-kind for his house at 408 High St.

All voting was unanimous except for 555 Main St.

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.