After returning with requested exterior details, finishes and samples for new construction at 330 E. Fourth St., Eric Reidinger and Dominick Gurreri from Factory39 were granted a certificate of appropriateness for a new building by the Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission at their June 15 meeting at city hall.

After reviewing the spec sheets and proposed construction materials, the commissioners voted unanimously to allow the applicants to proceed with construction of a 3.5-story building containing a first floor commercial space with outdoor café enclosed with a masonry sitting wall, along with four two-bedroom residential apartments on the upper floors.

While the commercial level and sitting wall are of standard sized red brick, the wall will be topped off with precast stone. The upper stories are to be clad in smooth James Hardie plank siding painted dark gray, with white corbal and structural brackets, GAF Slateline asphalt shingles in antique gray, and white half-round gutters and downspouts.

It was stipulated that Reidinger and Gurreri provide manufacturing samples and cut sheets for the proposed United 5900 Series of windows and doors to the board ahead of the city council meeting for final approval of those elements.

Any signage proposals are to come before the board when a tenant for the commercial space is arranged.

The property owner is listed as Nabila Youssef and a previous COA allowed for the demolition of the deteriorated circa 1890 Classical Revival former residence and a non-contributing garage at the rear of the lot.

Representing 34 E. Third St., Deep Patel from Ameer Sign received approval for signage for the sign bands at the northeast corner of the new addition of the renovated Goodman Building. Centered vertically in each band, the logo for “Pink Pistachio” in hot pink with “Café” spelled out in warm white on a hot pink rectangle are assembled as halo reverse-lit letters mounted on ACM backer board with a matching pink pinstripe.

While the proposal had been previously tabled, it passed with three ayes when the applicant provided more detailed information.

President Gary Lader recused himself from voting, citing a potential conflict of interest. Vice President Craig Evans presided over this agenda item.

The new eatery is owned by Ishrat Ilyas. Collaboration 3, LLC is listed as the property owner.

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.