The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission granted certificates of appropriateness for all four proposals, including two for signage at their Nov. 17 meeting at City Hall.

Mohammad Aziz, assisted by Scott Marlin from D Signs & Awnings won approval for installing LED illuminated backlit channel letters spelling out “Crispy Halal” for 25 E. Third St. Measuring 30 inches tall by 144 inches wide, the sign is centered horizontally and vertically on a rigid aluminum backer within the existing sign band. Screwed into existing mortar joints, the backer and tube framing are to be painted “peppercorn” dark gray.

The warm white cursive lettering with red sides are to be pin-mounted with 1500K red LED backlit illumination. Approved also, were vinyl transom signs reading “PLATTERS,” “GYROS,” “FRIED CHICKEN,” “TENDERS” and “SANDWICHES.”

With an evenly split vote of 2-2, President Gary Lader broke the tie in favor of approving the COA. The lack of a pinstripe for the sign was the reason Mike Simonson and Todd Chambers voted “no,” citing Historic Conservation District guidelines.

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

The commissioners approved a signage proposal for 21 E. Third St. Representing the property were Mingke Young and Grace Sun. The sign band for Taichi Bubble Tea measures 30 inches tall by 112 inches wide with English and Chinese letters. These channel letters are warm white and backlit with 2700K LED illumination.

The non-illuminated, double-sided projecting blade sign measures 24 inches by 24 inches with a 20-inch diameter circle graphic at the center surrounded by text spelling out “Taichi Bubble Tea” at top and some Chinese characters underneath. The 1-inch thick aluminum sign is to be hung on a new decorative metal scroll bracket at the same location as a previous tenant’s blade sign.

The two-story circa 1920 masonry building is owned by Ann Hunsicker Morrissey.

Architect Christine Ussler successfully scored a COA for her clients, Neel Shah and Emmanuel Patricio, for proposed modifications to the storefront at 13 - 15 E. Third St.

The pair are engaged in cleaning and rehabbing the circa 1915 adjoining structures that once housed the F. & W. Grand 5 and 10. Historic Officer Jeffrey Long mentioned the buildings may have been designed by iconic South Bethlehem architect A.W. Leh (1848-1918).

The removal of a window display case to create an entry vestibule for the upper floor apartments was approved, as well as replacing worn and broken sidewalk tiles at the entrance doors. Ussler explained that the existing doorways are not ADA-compliant. A vestibule is to be created for housing tenant mailboxes.

The applicants were advised that replacement sample tiles and lighting cut sheets should be presented at a future meeting.

Vipul Shah is listed as the owner.

Representing Holy Infancy Church, Joseph McCarthy was aided by contractor Joe Sedler in securing a COA for a new ADA-compliant concrete ramp with a pipe railing at 312 E. Fourth St. The exterior ramp will be installed at the historic church’s west façade entrance along Taylor Street near the northwest corner at East Fourth Street.

The overall ramp dimensions are approximately 114 inches wide by 72 inches deep with the steel railing installed directly into new concrete. The railing and ramp are to remain independent of the existing structure.

Votes for the last three agenda items was unanimous.

The Bethlehem HCC is charged with 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.