The Historical and Architectural Review Board approved signage for a French pastries shop at 521 Main St. at the May 7 meeting held at City Hall’s Rotunda.

Representing 521 Main St., business owner Gina Passerman and Cheryl Green from Fast Signs Allentown were granted a certificate of appropriateness for a hanging sign and vinyl window signage for Le Macaron.

With “Le Macaron” centered over “French Pastries” in white letters on the double-sided hanging sign featuring an assortment of colorful macaroons on a black background, the 36 in. by 21 in. sign is rectangular in shape with scalloped corners. While the commissioners found the sign design appealing, they were not keen on its being attached to the plain black aluminum tube arm protruding from the building. They cited historic guidelines that hanging signs should actually hang from a scroll bracket.

It was agreed to install the bracket with a decorative scroll above it that would be the height of the building’s cornice without being attached to the cornice.

The applicants were open to the suggestion of an oval sign and the COA allows for either the shape submitted or it being reconfigured as an oval.

Approved window decals feature the names of various desserts and beverages listed in white lettering on magenta stripes.

Historic Officer Joseph Phillips noted the circa 1893 masonry building was the tallest one in Bethlehem until 1922 when the Hotel Bethlehem was constructed.

The commercial building is owned by Juan Carlos Paredes.

Homeowner Alex D’Angelo’s proposal to remove aged vinyl siding from the back wall and restore the original brick masonry underneath at 438 Center St. was enthusiastically approved. The restoration is to include repair to any brick face and repainting as needed using period appropriate materials and color.

“It’s the journey, not the destination,” remarked Nik Nikolov as he and the other board members advised D’Angelo that he may find “surprises” hidden under the vinyl siding, including possible window openings on the home’s east façade.

The applicant expressed his interest in maintain the building’s historic character with windows that match existing ones on the building.

He was instructed to seek administrative review if the scope of the project changes as the restoration work progresses.

Built circa 1870, the house is owned by Alex and Kathleen D’Angelo.

Alan Lowcher scored a COA for the installation of a wood picket fence between his property at 438 High St. and the adjacent neighbor‘s yard. Painted white, the new fence will match the existing fence and gate elsewhere on his property.

At four feet in height and 14 feet in length, the fence will run parallel to an existing retaining wall.

Alan and Patricia Lowcher are listed as the homeowners of the circa 1856 masonry residence.

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.