Historic Architectural Review Board Meeting - February 12, 2026
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Historic Architectural Review Board Meeting - February 12, 2026
The Allentown Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) held a meeting on February 12, 2026, beginning at approximately 11:00 AM. The board reviewed a residential conversion project at 943-951 West Chu Street, discussed the annual report, and conducted the annual board reorganization. No public comments were heard.
Approval of Minutes
- The minutes from the January 5, 2026 meeting were approved with one abstention (member who was absent).
Discussion Items
- 943-951 West Chu Street Residential Conversion: The applicant, Jason Colfer and Paul Dioli, proposed converting a circa 1900 vernacular commercial building (formerly a print shop) into 18 dwelling units. The building, located in the Old Allentown Historic District, has been significantly altered over time. Key discussions centered on:
- Windows: Staff recommended metal windows to match the industrial character, rather than aluminum-clad wood windows proposed by the applicant. The board majority favored metal windows, citing the building's history and narrower sightlines. The applicant agreed to the change.
- Loading Dock Bumper: The board stressed preserving the bumper as a character-defining feature. The opening could be infilled with a different material (e.g., fiber cement) or a unique window, as long as the bumper and opening size are retained. The board suggested a varied window design (e.g., different color) to highlight the opening.
- Single Door Brick Infill: For the western door being removed, staff recommended recessing the brick infill by 0.5 to 1 inch to preserve the original opening size and vertical line down to the sidewalk.
- Other Details: The double door will be retained; a sign opening will be infilled with a window matching adjacent windows. The applicant agreed to use breathable paint for painted brick elements.
Key Outcomes
- Motion to Approve with Conditions: Passed unanimously (all present in favor). Conditions include:
- Replacement windows must be metal with the proposed muntin configuration and operation.
- The single-door (western) brick infill must be recessed 0.5 to 1 inch, preserving the original opening size and vertical elements continuing to the sidewalk.
- The loading dock bumper and opening size must be retained; if infilled, a different material or window configuration may be used.
- Paint used on brick must be breathable.
- Board Reorganization: Chair AJ Me and Vice Chair David Hewer were unanimously reappointed.
- Annual Report: The board reviewed the report and thanked staff for their work.
- Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:34 PM.
Meeting Transcript
Right, we're gonna get started here. So welcome to the historic architectural review board meeting of uh February 2026. Harb is an advisory body to City Council. Uh City Council renders the final decision of HARB recommendations. Under the direction of the historic design guidelines, HARB review covers the general design, arrangement, texture, material, and color of a building or structure. Harb will also examine how these factors relate to similar features around your building. Anyone in attendance wishing a comment on any of the listed items on tonight's agenda are returned to sign in for records purposes. Staff will introduce and present the proposal through a prepared report, which was provided to the applicant and board members for review prior to this evening's meeting. The applicant can then provide additional context to the proposable for discussion. Presentations are limited to 30 minutes and comments from any interested party other than the applicant are limited to five minutes. After the presentation, the board will discuss the members of the project among themselves, but will ask the applicant and staff for relevant information to supplement the discussion. After deliberation, Harb will recommend to approve as submitted or approve with conditions, deny it with explanation or table the project for further discussion. If the applicant is not present at the meeting or if information provided is not sufficient, the board may table a project until the next meeting to provide the opportunity for the applicate applicant to present and/or supply sufficient information. A proposal will only be tabled once. If requirements are not satisfied the following meeting, the board may automatically recommend for denials and require and require the applicant to reapply for a new certificate of appropriateness. Our recommendations will be forwarded to the next available city council meeting for final resolution. And meanwhile, no work can proceed on your project until council resolution and certificate of appropriateness is received. Once received, you will then be able to pull any additional permits associated with your project. So let's do a roll call. Philip Hart, here. And Shar. Here. David Hewer. Here. Alex Ansel. Here. We have six present and we have core. My role call. Great. Thank you. All right, we'll move on to minutes of January 5th, 2026. Is everyone had an opportunity to read them? Any comments or corrections? Do we have a motion to approve? No. So motion. Philip, second. No second then. Second from Alex. All those in favor of approve without change. Any opposed? I'll abstain first since I wasn't here last month. One abstain from Rob. All right. That is approved. Thank you. All right, moving straight into new business. Um applicant for 943-951 West Chu. Is that you? Yeah, great.
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