The Historical and Architectural Review Board approved input on a Plaque Program relaunch at their Sept. 3 meeting held at city hall’s Rotunda.

Bethlehem Historic District Association President Michele Schultz provided a newly-designed brass plaque intended to replace the wooden ones displayed on older structures throughout the historic district.

Schultz said the group hopes to persuade the current 65 plaque owners to switch to the new brass plaques. If approved, the plaque design will then be the standard for new ones going forward as more building owners choose to opt into the program. Schultz estimates there are approximately 407 structures that would qualify.

Many of the 7-inch-by 10-inch Eastern Pine ¾-inch-thick ovals with the date etched on them are beginning to show their age according to Schultz. Besides being weather-resistant, the bronze oval replacements would sport “Bethlehem Historic District” and “Historic Structure” centered above and below the date the structure was built. These are designed to utilize the same fastener holes as the older ones. While the same size as the wood ones, the ¼-inch-thick brass plaques would feature a “leatherette” background with raised letters and border.

Naming the family that built or is historically connected to a structure somewhere on the plaque was discussed, as well as how to address presenting other information about the buildings that wouldn’t fit in that small oval.

While the BHDA is looking to keep the price tag down on the new plaques, Schultz said the cost is around $400 each, so far. The original wood plaques had been created by a neighborhood woodworker at no cost during the late 1970s or early ’80s.

The commissioners voted unanimously to table the proposal to allow the BHDA to work out additional details like background color and fasteners. The applicant was assured the prototype presented at the meeting would be considered appropriate for the historic district.

Dennis Murphy’s 12-inch-by-14-inch bronze plaque proposal was also tabled for the circa 1860 brick residence he and his wife, Sheri own at 36 East Wall St. He was looking to replace the wooden BHDA date plaque displayed on the front of their house with a larger rectangular bronze plaque commemorating Joseph H. Traeger, who built the Federal style house. Murphy proudly provided a short history lesson about the property and the Civil War veteran who lived there and his contributions to the City of Bethlehem.

Murphy mentioned that he had not been aware of the BHDA’s plaque redesign efforts.

Mike Simonson offered to check on zoning requirements regarding the plaque’s size and the applicant was encouraged to consult with the neighborhood association as they move forward on their plaque design.

Murphy’s proposal to remove the worn slate roof fronting Wall Street and replace it with GAF Slateline shingles in Antique Slate was unanimously approved as it would match what is already installed at the rear of the residence.

Homeowner John Guranich, accompanied by Sage Rosenberry from Alan Kunsman Roofing was unsuccessful with his proposal to replace the rear roof, currently sheathed with 3-tab asphalt roof with GAF Timberline Architectural shingles at 441 High St. The residence is at the center of row houses built circa 1880s.

“I have been in that house for over a half century,” said Guranich. Because of a disability, he is considering moving “to something more suitable” and pointed out that the less expensive option would somewhat match what is on a neighboring house.

Noting the rear of the property is visible from East Wall Street, the majority of the commissioners voted 4-1 to grant a certificate of appropriateness for replacing the shingles with the more costly GAF Slateline shingles in Antique Slate as the older roofing on Guranich’s neighbors would likely soon need replacement. They were reluctant to set a precedent for the row.

Nik Nikolov was the dissenting vote. He expressed sympathy to the applicant‘s situation while noting financial concerns are not under the purview of the board.

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.