With unanimous agreement, the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission issued two certificates of appropriateness to businesses at their Oct. 20 meeting at city hall.

Tony Seitz from High Associates, architect John Snavely and attorney Joe Fitzpatrick returned with revisions to some of their previously-approved proposals for the Tempo by Hilton to be constructed at 14 - 36 W. Third St.

Citing tariffs driving up construction costs, Seitz asked for approval of alternates to the building materials cited in previous COAs issued in June of 2025.

The approved materials in the new COA include alternate red brick color and light accent brick color, thin brick on the upper levels with returns at the windows to preserve the depth of regular bricks, composite masonry shapes and thinner masonry veneer at the base of the building and Exterior Insulation Finish System shapes at the windows for the sill and head, with the finish to match what’s on the cast stone at the base.

The substitution of the wood-look metal panels under the porte cochére (carport), as well as the metal panels on the vertical edges and undersides of the porte cochére and canopy with EIFS was permitted with the stipulation that the boards be 10 inches wide at maximum.

The glass railing for the rooftop dining area is to be 3 feet above the parapet (4 feet above the patio deck), with the pergola’s footprint reduced at the top of the building. The pergola should be painted in a color to consistent with the color of the building and not in a contrasting color.

While EIFS panels had been discouraged for lower floors in the past, Vice President Craig Evans noted the newer product “is a different animal.”

“Sounds like a great project,” said Chris Eckenroth during public comment. “Has the trajectory of the sun been taken into consideration?” he asked as he explained that with the east-west orientation of the building, a darker color may be preferable to a lighter one to prevent “gleaming” during certain periods of the day. Eckenroth also made suggestions for lighting for the pergola. The Easton resident mentioned that he had recently purchased property in South Bethlehem.

The mostly vacant wedge-shaped site, owned by Patriot Ventures, LLC/High Hotels, LTD is located between the six-story Gateway at Greenway Park and Comfort Suites and contains a pair of crumbling buildings. An undeveloped section of the South Bethlehem Greenway is behind it.

Mohammad Ayaz successfully petitioned for approval of sign band signage for “Crispy Halal” at 23 E. Third St. The COA stipulates the brick behind the raceway behind the channel letters, backlit with red LED lights, remain unpainted. The raceway is to be painted to match the brick, but must be attached to mortar joints. The individually-mounted aluminum letters are to be faced with a warm white color.

The applicant was instructed to provide Mike Simonson with a scale drawing of the sign, with measurements indicated, before having it installed. Ayaz was told by Historic Officer Jeffrey Long the rendering of the signage lacked detail and proportion.

Any additional signage for the windows, door and transom would need to come before the board at a future time.

The circa 1920 1-story terra-cotta and brick building is owned by OM Three, LLC.

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