The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission unanimously granted two certificates of appropriateness for signage and façade renovations at their Sept. 15 meeting at City Hall.

Accompanied by Wendy Kern from Bartush Signs, Community Bank Vice President of Facilities Erik Turner was granted approval for a signage package that included sign band and window signs for the northeast corner of 306 S. New St.

While the entrance door signage, including a U-shaped frame for posting business hours, was approved as presented, other parts of the proposal were okayed with revisions. The corner sign bands with “Community Bank” in black and the dark orange logo in painted acrylic on a white aluminum panel are to be of the same size and have pinstripes.

“Frosted” vinyl treatment for a work room and perforated vinyl for other window signage are to be attached on the interior of the storefront windows. This was preferred by all over proposed installation of backlit boxed signage.

Built in 2016, the 6-story contemporary commercial structure is owned by Greenway One Inc.

A revised proposal for 13-15 E. 3rd St. was granted a COA after the applicants changed their plans to paint over the brick and cast stone façades of the adjoining structures that Historic Officer Jeffrey Long mentioned may have been designed by iconic South Bethlehem architect A.W. Leh (1848-1918). According to Long, the buildings were erected circa 1915 and once housed the F. & W. Grand 5 and 10.

Representing the properties were Vipul Shah and Emmanuel Patricio.

Patricio explained they had been unsuccessful with cleaning the “carbon soot” off the tan masonry and had decided to paint over it “to make it look clean.” After submitting their painting proposal, they received advice from the historic officer and zoning and decided to give another surface cleaning product a try. Shah provided the commissioners with promotional materials for products made by EaCo Chem that manufactures restoration cleaning products. Of the various products listed, the applicants said they will experiment with OneRestore.

They were advised to treat a less visible part of the building first.

Window trim and non-masonry surfaces can be painted. Any repointing and terra-cotta repair can be done “in kind.”

The 3-story buildings are owned by Neel Shah, who looks to sell them to his son, Vipul and Patricio.

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.

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, and then voted on by city council before any project is allowed to proceed.