The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission granted a certificate of appropriateness to remove a cedar shake pent roof from the front façade at 115 W. Fourth St. during its July 20 meeting at city hall.

Representing the property were architect John Lee and developer Greg Salomoni were given approval to remove it to explore what may be hiding behind the non-contributing architectural element on the one-story “infill” structure that was built circa 1945.

Historic Officer Jeffrey Long mentioned the commercial building had originally been divided into a print shop on one side and a photo shop on the other, each with their own entrance. He and Lee said that their research into the building’s history produced no photographs of what it may have looked like in the 1940s or ’50s.

Any defining historical elements were lost when the building was reconfigured into one commercial space with the pent roof, tan brick veneer below, along with a single entrance and a set of “Colonial style” bow windows.

Lee provided two options for the redesigned storefront: one featuring steel siding installed over the brick and another showing the existing brick being painted white as the brick hidden by the cedar is red and doesn’t match the brown brick veneer below it. The commissioners indicated they would not approve the metal siding but may be OK with painting the brick, although they encouraged the applicants to see what is behind the contemporary brick veneer to see if it matches what is above it.

President Gary Lader suggested that a Sunbrella awning be installed where the pent roof had been.

While the COA allows for partial demolition of some of the newer elements, Lee and Salomoni need to return and provide a scale elevation of the new work, and cut sheets of the entrance doors with transom and the pair of 12-foot-by-8-foot aluminum folding doors flanking them, as well as lighting and the storefront sign area.

GFY Development is listed as the owner of the building that was once occupied by Ritter Pharmacy.

Landlord Michael Schonberger was successful with his proposal to replace the storm-damaged front-facing slate roof with GAF Slateline English Gray shingles at 410 Polk St. Although the commissioners preferred slate be used to repair the roof of the circa 1885 wood frame house, Schonberger showed them the remaining slate was already too worn to salvage. The rear portion of the gabled roof was already covered in older asphalt shingles, as well.

The COA provided that Schonberger has the option to replace the entire roof with GAF Slateline English Gray shingles.

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.