The Bethlehem Historic Conservation Commission issued two certificates of appropriateness at their May 19 meeting at City Hall.

Developer Joseph Pearl Jr. from East Allen Venture LLC scored a COA for a 34-inch by 105-inch non-illuminated wall sign for 121 E. Third St.

The approved non-illuminated 34-inch by 105-inch wall sign is painted Aluminum Composite Material with digitally printed graphics. These spell out “U&T Asian Market.” These green and orange graphics are centered horizontally and vertically while surrounded by one bold and one thin offset pinstripe border with “so-called Chinese corner sets.” The background color is to be a warm white or ivory.

It was stipulated that the applicant return for any signage intended for the glass storefront to be assessed by the HCC before installation.

The circa late-19th century brick building is Italianate in style, according to Historic Officer Jeffrey Long and is registered to East Allen Ventures.

Tony Seitz from High Associates, architect John Snavely and attorney Thomas Schlegel returned for another round of proposals for the Tempo by Hilton to be constructed at 14 – 36 W. Third St.

Having received COAs for previous steps in the design process, the applicants received approval for Aluminum thermal-break fixed windows. Each window measures 8 feet tall by 6 feet 8 inches wide with the frame elements having a dark bronze factory-applied finish.

All-extruded, pre-engineered Super Lumideck canopies with corrugated deck and aluminum and dark bronze finish passed muster. These are to be installed facing W. Third Street and the nearby Greenway. The entrance canopies include 8-inch “J” facias and hanger rod supports and are equipped with integrated channels to collect rainwater and snow melt, which drains into dark bronze metal downspouts.

Sunbrella canvas (or comparable) in a dark gray color for awnings located beneath the lower cornice will align with widths of associated storefront openings and have open ends. They extend approximately 24 inches out over the public right of way with an overall height of 48 inches.

Approved lighting fixtures include 51-inch tall by 7.5-inch wide by 4-inch deep Sentinel Wall sconces to be installed between entry-level storefronts, as well as smaller Razer RD Wall surface sconces with 3-degree spread for up-lighting and 75-degree spread for down-lighting to be installed vertically between third and fourth floor levels and between sixth and seventh floor levels.

The LED fixtures are to be at maximum 3000K color temperature. No conduits, raceways or junction boxes are to be visible on any exterior façades.

Details for the porte cochére (carport) that were determined to be appropriate include support piers masonry veneer with precast banding to match water table of main structure and the upper portion is to be clad in ACM with brushed aluminum finish to match the fascia of upper canopy.

The rooftop canopy will be supported by five piers with a curvilinear roof form at approximately 19 feet high that extends out from the west façade approximately 62 feet. This includes Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) in brushed aluminum color at fascias and an aluminum tongue-and-groove system in a dark brown woodgrain look for the upper canopy soffits.

Signage and additional lighting are to be presented at a future meeting for the 141-guestroom Tempo by Hilton.

The wedge-shaped site, owned by Patriot Ventures, LLC/High Hotels, LTD is located between the 6-story Gateway at Greenway Park and Comfort Suites with an undeveloped section of the South Bethlehem Greenway behind it.

All voting was unanimous.

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.