Council 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 will also examine how these factors relate to similar features around your building.

Anyone in attendance wishing to comment on any of the listed items on tonight's agenda are required to sign in for records purposes.

Okay.

Staff will introduce and present the proposal through a prepared report, which was provided to the applicant and board members for review prior to the evening's meeting.

The applicant could then provide additional context to their proposal before 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 merits of the project among themselves, but will ask the applicant and staff for relevant information to supplement the discussion.

After the deliberation, HARB will recommend to approve as submitted or approve with conditions, deny 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 the project until the next meeting to provide the opportunity for the applicant to present and or supply sufficient information for discussion.

Proposal will only be tabled once.

If requirements are not satisfied at the following meeting, the board may automatically recommend for denial and require the applicant to reapply for a new certificate of appropriateness.

HARB recommendations will then be forwarded to the next uh available city council meeting for final resolution.

Meanwhile, no work can proceed until a council resolution and certificate of appropriateness is received.

Once received, you will then be able to pull any additional permit associated with your project.

All right, let's go on to roll.

Oh, yes, yes, I was, but I have to run our call.

Good evening.

March 2nd, 2026.

Chair AJ Me here.

Mike Chair, David Hewart here.

Remember Philip Hart?

Here.

Remember Alex in Scholasweek?

Remember Rob Hammond?

Here.

Member Patty Shire.

Here.

Let the record reflect that the quorum is present.

Also present this evening is our consultant Amy Vay from LG Partners.

That concludes memorable call.

All right.

Thank you.

Moving on to minutes from February 2nd, 2026 meeting.

Does everyone had a chance to review the minutes?

Any comments, corrections, edits.

All right.

Is there a motion to approve?

So moved.

And is there a second?

I'll second.

Great.

Those in favor of approval of minutes.

Aye.

None opposed.

Great.

Then we can move right into new business.

So do we have a representative for 1515 Linden Street?

Present.

Great.

Great.

Do you mind stating your full name and address for the record, please?

Bernhefner, City of Allentown, 3000 Parkway Boulevard.

Wonderful.

We'll begin with a staff reading.

Yep.

1515 Linden Street is located in the West Park Historic District.

It is the West Park Fan Shell Building.

It's a two-story detached structure with a flat roof with semi-spherable roof over the stage.

Wood siding on the remaining facades.

And for four doors of various styles.

Six over six double hung, I'm sorry, five doors of various styles, six over six wood double-hung windows on the sides and the rear.

The structure dates from the early 20th century and is classical in style.

The project description from the application.

Remove five single doors on the band shell and install four mahogany doors at the stage level and one metal door on the ground floor.

The two front-facing stage doors will be a solid three-panel door, and the two side doors at the first level will have six-pane light.

The replacement metal door at the ground floor will match the existing and via plain flush door.

Staff observations and comments.

The application drawings indicate that the proposed stage doors are constructed of mahogany and are to be painted.

The door configuration for the front and side stage level doors are consistent with the design and configuration of the original drawers as seen in existing conditions and original building drawings.

The ground floor door is currently a painted plain metal flush door replacing to match the current configuration is appropriate.

Some of the original doors remain in various states of disrepair.

Given the significance of the band shelf structure, original materials should be salvaged.

While color is not regulated by the HARV, staff suggests matching the existing door colours.

Staff recommend approval with the condition that the original doors are salvaged.

The staff's recommendation is that uh doors can be replaced, but the salvaged after replacement.

Yeah, so not salvage on the structure, right?

Correct.

Salvage um great.

All right.

Thank you to staff for those recommendations.

Um you have anything you'd like to add to this.

Nope.

Um just want to say thank you for reviewing this again.

I know this has been a long time coming.

The last time it was around, it was uh back and forth.

Um so we finally were able to secure um the contractor was able to find somebody to make solid wood doors for us, replicated exactly as they were originally pictured in the drawings that were provided.

Um so we appreciate the review.

Um we are going to we will salvage the doors for future use.

Um we are we're hoping to restore them to also that it'll help with the national registry that uh best park civic association is helping us to uh secure.

Thank you so much for the work on this.

Um so any questions from the board?

Just to clarify, we're talking about the slab only, right?

Not no jam, no nothing else.

That is that is what was in the application.

Um the the application drawing state that they're uh pre-hung doors, so it would also be the oh so 50% what they plan to put in for use for that.

Sorry, couple of us lost internet access.

So yeah, we have something working default.

Um something there it is, and so we are replacing these with with painted glass.

Correct.

Well, there's tempered glass on the four the four.

Yes, two that are solid wood and two that are that have glass in it.

Okay, that is clear.

Thank you.

I just wanted to uh clarify because I remember previous applications on this structure there were safety concerns about flask being broken.

So I just want to see if if there were any changes to height of glass that's being added to not sure it affects the application just here, because it was sticking point here.

No, I don't think so.

Sorry, go ahead.

Is this configuration the same as the original doors?

Or does it just differ to make it smaller?

Like this is exactly identical.

Okay, cool.

Um, what about the these are the front and these are the sides, and yeah, they match the original.

Yeah, the original drawings are if you in the same document.

If you scroll through it, oh okay.

Yeah, we're challenged here.

But yes, we plan on using, I believe it's tempered glasses, what they put in there.

So we are gonna see how that works out.

But I think it shall be okay.

I think it should be okay.

Are there are the casings going to be removed and put back on?

Um, it depends on how bad of the condition they are, but if they are, it's gonna be replaced.

Yeah, sorry about that.

Um if uh they if they have to be repaired, they're gonna be repaired with solid wood as well.

They're gonna be repaired like like for like.

I think uh hold on one second.

We're most concerned about the profile of the wood.

Hold on one second.

We don't see that here.

Um I believe what I had said would be that it would be the door and frame will be made out of mahogany.

So it's they they know it's supposed to be like for like exactly as a current.

It's not just right, and they're proposing to do that.

Okay, yeah.

No, it's in the drop.

Okay.

All right, any other questions or concerns from the board?

Good.

I'm good.

Yeah, I think they did a great job on the cleaning up the application.

Yeah, I really appreciate it.

Um, we have a staff recommendation to approve with the condition of its salvage, and it sounds like the applicant isn't medical scratch condition.

Is there anything else that needs to be added or adjusted?

We want to open this up for public comment.

Yeah, sure.

Um, is there anyone who would like to comment on this proposal?

I think they're installed as proposed and um as spec'd out.

I don't really have a problem with it.

Wonderful.

And then you just might say your name for the road Tom your wrap up.

Thanks.

West parts of the association.

The door that's uh going to remain the metal door.

Which door is that going to be the west side or the east side?

I mean, or the uh, I think it's north north side.

North second, yeah.

Okay.

Dave, any other no good.

Um Aja.

Good.

Yeah.

Should we and I'll I'll run the so I move to approve the application presented on March 2nd, 2026 for door replacement at 1515 within the street man show has submitted finding compliance to the following structures of guidelines for store districts, chapter 3, 3.6 doors, and find that there are not circumstances unique to the property.

Well, for that motion is there a second.

Second.

Oh, those in favor of approval with conditions.

No.

Any opposed.

Abstaints.

Great.

Thank you so much.

Really excited about this.

Okay.

Yes, thank you so much as well.

All right.

Um, that concludes new business.

I think we're moving on to HBDO reviews.

Uh, do we have representative for 112 to 114 North?

Yes.

Um I think we'll just uh go into state names for all representatives.

Sure.

My name's Jeff Fleischaker, F-L-E-I-S-C-H-A-K-E-R.

From Grosh McGanley representing the application.

Right.

And is anybody else presenting?

I'm Carlos Towa.

Um The Architecture de Brilliant.

Alex Wright, AW construction.

Wonderful.

And then um for this, we're not voting on anything.

It's still a staff reading on stop reading common.

Right.

Yeah.

Okay.

So this uh application is for 112 to 114 North Eighth Street, which is located in the historic building demolition control overlay district.

Um, overall, the proposal is for the demon uh demolition of two structures for the construction of a new apartment building.

The project description from the application is as follows.

Demolition is proposed for the three, um sorry, three existing structures at 112 to 114 North Eighth Street, uh, two attached two-story structures facing North East Street and one detached structure facing north roof Raf Wall Street.

The demolition will allow for the construction of a seven-story building consisting of 23 apartment units.

The first floor will include lobby and amenity space and trash pickup and drop-off areas.

Parking will be provided at the spiral deck located at 820 West London Street in Allentown.

The proposed the project proposed to disturb 0.093 acres.

Proposed improvements for the site include the construction of an apartment building, perimeter sidewalk, and access driveways.

The property is bound by an existing dwelling to the north, north 8th Street to the east, and an existing dwelling to the south, and North Raf Wall Street to the west.

Um so for our review, while the application provides greater context to the vision for the site.

The purpose of this application is to review the appropriateness of the demolition of the residential structures at 112 to 114 Northeast Street.

This property is located in the historic building demolition control overlay district per uh section 660-52 of the zoning code, HBDO historic building uh demolition overlay district D point six states that the city historical architectural review board shall be provided with an opportunity to provide comments to the zoning hearing board concerning the historical and architectural significance of the building proposed to be demolished and on the effect of the proposed demolition on the historic character of the streetscape or surrounding neighborhood.

While the HARP's authority is limited to review and comment on the demolition and historical significance of the existing building, as part of its review of the application, the HARB may also provide comment on the proposed new construction at the request of the zoning hearing board, planning commission, or applicant.

However, it should be noted that the HARP has no regulatory authority over new construction in any of the city's overlay districts, including the historic building demolition overlay district, the Hamilton Street Overlay District, or the traditional neighborhood development overlay district.

This application should be reviewed for the following.

One, the historical and architectural significance of the existing building as stipulated in the zoning code.

Two, the effect of the proposed demolition on the historic character of the streetscape as stipulated in the zoning code.

Architectural description.

112 North Eighth Street is a two-story vernacular structure.

The first floor has a painted brick exterior wall with a central picture window and entry doors on either side.

The second floor has a centered pair of one over one windows with a flat steel lintel and unpainted brick exterior wall.

The structure has a flat roof.

114 North East Street is a two-story federal style structure with an elevated pedimented front entry and a large first four picture window with window trim with window trim.

The second floor windows have federal style lintels.

The brick masonry exterior is painted, and the side gabled roof has asphalt shingles.

The single chimney has a secco finish.

The rear garage structure is a two-story vernacular, uncoated brick masonry building with a garage door face fronting North Rough Wall Street.

On the same building elevation, the second floor has a central doorway flanked by two windows.

The side gabled roof has asphalt shingles.

A series of sandboard maps dated 1885, 1911, and 1932 were reviewed.

114 North Eighth Street first appeared on the 1885 sandboard map and was identified as a dwelling.

The rear garage structure first appeared on the 1911 map and it was identified as an auto garage.

114 North Eighth Street appeared on the 1932 map, and both 112 and 114 North Eighth Street structures were identified as stores.

The developmental period of this property is consistent with Allentown's historic development.

The late 1800s federal style dwelling converted to a commercial mixed use structure as Allentown expanded at the turn of the century.

An open space infilled with additional supporting commercial structures was a common developmental pattern in this part of the city.

Staff evaluation and comments.

Historic and architectural significance.

114 North Eighth Street is a federal style structure that retains original door and window detailing on the front facade.

112 North Eighth Street and the rear garage are vernacular structures that do not contain significant architectural detailing or features.

While the type of construction, form and setback are consistent with the historic developmental period of the area, it is not evident that the structures are individually significant.

Effective demolition on the historic character of the streetscape and surrounding neighborhood.

Demolition of the buildings at 112 to 114 North East Street would create a void in an otherwise intact block of structures.

Both sides of the 100 block of North East Street are fully developed, primarily with attached structures.

Structures from the same developmental period on the same block retain a high degree of historic or original features and strongly convey the historic and architectural character of the street street.

Okay.

That concludes staff's comments.

Great.

Thank you.

So again, we aren't speaking on the quality of the new proposal or approving anything.

We are looking at staff comments and seeing if we'd like to add or adjust anything for comment on this demolition.

Does anybody have anything like to add to this?

So my first comments are the I mean the new building looks great.

I love all of your work.

But on the original structures, um, I do take a little bit of an issue with uh comments on the rear garage.

That's actually the part I'm most concerned about, how this impacts the minor streets of REPL on the interior circulation of blocks in the historic district.

I think very unique aspect of Allen Sound that should be preserved.

Um but again, this is the historic district.

This is the HBDO.

Um, but I would I would just kind of comment, but there's no significance there.

This the scale and massing up that structure back there is I think significant for that enters.

Um the two buildings fronting uh fronting eighth street.

I mean, the the 114 does go back a long way.

Uh it is part of the historic character.

Um, one of the things that I do think is lost in the this proposal is uh bearing roof lines.

You know, I I love the the diversity of A Street.

Um, and I think the in my opinion, the new building matches too much, um, which is a weird thing to say, but uh I am kind of sad that we're losing that, but I'm not sure there's an official comment there.

That's just kind of my perspective on losing that.

I really like 112.

It's cute and weird and funky, but um, and it's hard to argue that it is uh huge architecturally significant structure, and I missed it.

This is not the structure that showed up on the 1950s standboard map, or is it um so it's both of those structures are on the so the yellow button is that structure because they don't see the gap now, so it's I just want to make sure the credit wasn't okay.

Can we go back to the interesting so I'm not sure if that's that is the that sandboard map structure or if something changed, maybe it was reclad, closed, but anyway you slice it.

I uh I'm sad that understand what's happening.

So my favorite structure is actually that rear garage on this on this.

Any other comments is the building to stop right at Rafael Street, or is it proposed to somehow so I believe the right-of-way of Redfall continues past Webster, right?

So the entire rear of this building is on like a little little mini all the sack.

Um and our there's no egress being proposed back here, right?

It's no woo, yeah, doors in the original proposal, which is that we're proposing uh um rear entrance to take Garvey Shah, but what eliminated them because we that was one of the feedback they will receive for the planning commission.

So what we are proposing actually in the appropriate is uh on the front of the building, just uh a lot in dog.

So just you know, so people can in how during the liberties.

So that's again the answer is no, we don't have that.

23 units is that right?

23 units, correct.

So we're effectively multiplying the density population by that zone by 23.

I personally I find that appropriate because that will increase walkable treads is a little bit less architectural, but I appreciate density in the center of the city to increase pedestrian traffic, everybody's too use to the cars and the downtown hill that will increase with that's that's a product of the GFC zoning that went in effect in the first of the years.

It allows us to go seven stories, and that's the the goal of this is to this one in particular because it uh I'm hoping there's some appreciation that you said it doesn't vary the roof line enough, and I sort of get that comment, especially from the historical design features that it's supposed to maybe get a setback.

But the cornice that runs along the third floor that really matches next door, uh, I think is sort of an ode to the historical district there, keeping it especially considering this neighborhood, what's across the street, what's next door to it, it's keeping in line with that.

One thing I will note uh is it it struck me when I first looked at Carlos' design.

The mural on the side, it's not really gonna be uh wild animals.

Um I think it's cool.

I think that I think the goal honestly will be to work with city officials about putting some mural that of some historical significance to give a nod to where this is and Allentown's history as we're building in this area.

Uh I think that also adds to the cool features of the building itself, until that is someone buys next door and builds the same building right next door, and you don't see it anymore.

So uh while I think I understand the roofline comment, I think the the commitment to do some art arch art feature, some artistic feature on the sides of the building, which would be both sides, does draw your eye architecturally to something different other than the flat the flat front.

Uh, but there really is a commitment with this one to match where it's neighboring.

Uh the only other comment I would have if I'm permitted to do so is at the end on the staff comments, it talks about demolition and leaving a blank space.

Obviously, we're building something once we demolish this and building something that will add to the walkability of the neighborhood, add to have an uh sort of an honorarium to the historical features of the building that currently exist or that should exist, uh, as well as an art piece that acknowledges Appletown's history if we can do it.

Or we can have zoo features if that's what the uh you know people are valuable, so it's that's what we're talking about at the beginning to it's open to local local artists.

We'll propose that.

Um, and to supplement what you were saying is yes, on on the lobby we have just a small sitting area.

So, you know, you've got that connection with people walking and passing by, and also when we create this type of buildings, typically like we have uh a community space, we have a co-working space.

We don't have any of these because we're using the city as the amenity of the building.

So we want people to get out and walk.

Do we have a photo of the whole blocks with the seat?

The roof line.

I appreciate that.

I mean, we didn't think we should be ashamed to miss that one building, but there's enough variation on the street.

More or less in to the only thing really missing, I believe to the right is a church.

That's the church, right?

No, right.

Church.

Yeah.

Yeah, I know I really really love the back streets.

And I think if I were parking at Spiral Deck, I would want to go out the back of that building and walk down London or something.

But I get why you're not doing that.

I just um, you know, I concern about losing the character of those those minor streets and our street grid.

Um, so it you know, any features that you want to add back there to bring the scale down a little bit, because that's gonna be a daunting scale back there.

Uh change at scale.

Um we have a riad door anyway, because the second ester, so I'm sure a lot of people will be probably even though it's not intended to be the U.S.

I don't know.

But yeah, any com any additional comments on the historic structures.

What is the width of the two parcels together?

30 feet.

30 feet combined between the two.

Okay.

How do you build a seven-story building in?

So what we're gonna do is we're gonna have um we have to go down as the what would I match the system foundation, and then from that point we want to go out wing wing is too.

But really, we have to go down.

We're not going for a basement, but we definitely need to go to the adjacent.

Our foundation has to be lower than the two buildings next to it.

Well, yeah.

So, how do you do that and not destroy the neighboring buildings?

So we have to do a temporary supporting for those foundations.

So we have to we don't have e4, so we have to vote temporarily supporting those foundations.

So you don't is there a contractor that's the project?

The contract.

Who is the contractor?

AW.

Okay.

Um the historical behavior of Alex has been working without permits, working without inspections, failing inspections, ignoring all municipal regulations and lying to municipal officials and threatening municipal officials.

So I'm just gonna mention that we are on the record, and it is important that we are commenting on the proposal.

Just the proposal in regards to the demolition is how do we know that this is not going to be a demolished 30-foot space with adjacent structures collapsed rather than a completed building.

What steps will be put in place to make sure that this project is completed without a detriment to the neighboring structures or to the streetscape?

Well, right.

What I'll say is this.

Obviously, you have a history with with my client and some representations and some some past projects, but on this one, going through the work that we're doing and the careful, you know, the original answer to your question was very carefully is how we build this uh a 30-foot wide seven-story building.

Um, keeping in mind what the purpose of the the this board is, those questions I think are really better addressed when we deal with the city engineers in that capacity when we deal with planning in that capacity.

Um we are proposing this building, and if it ultimately turns out that it will not work, we will not demolish until we have plan that's going to work.

If that's what your concern is, um, you know, I I don't think there's an intent to go in and take sledgehammers to these to 112 and 114 and say, oops, um, and now what?

Uh the intention is to build a seven-story, 23 unit apartment building here, and that's what we're doing.

Uh so to the extent that you have concerns about that, I understand those.

Um, as someone who's done a fair amount of land development work, I'm always worried that something's gonna stop in the middle and we're gonna have a big hole in the ground.

Uh, I think there's an intention and an intentionality to have this project not be demolition followed by let's work and work and work and work and maybe get the phased approval later for the building.

It's to work it all at once.

We're required to go to zone and get a special exception for the demolition after we're here, and hopefully after the comments are reviewed by city council and approved.

That's part of the process that holds us to a zoning approval and special exception with what we're doing.

Then we have to go to plan and get the project approved that holds us to further approvals.

Um, you know, if if the concern is, as I said, you don't want it demolished until we have a plan to build, that's the best we can do is we'll commit to not tearing anything down until it's done, until until the plan is approved and until we know that we can do it.

Exactly.

The only appropriate way to approve any demolition of this project in a historically sensitive neighborhood is if and only if all approvals are secured for the entirety of the construction and redevelopment.

To the yeah, I I agree with you to the extent that those are visible at the front.

There's going to be stuff that comes up uh during the course of any project.

But uh Alex uh is committed on this project, especially given the tight space that we're working in to make sure that we make it right.

Because if that you mess up once, we're not affecting just his build, we're affecting neighboring properties to the east, west, and south.

I think that's the sound.

And I would like to add, uh, I'm building currently building a 61 unit apartment building, Riverview Lost Two at our first Allen Street.

My project is fully in compliance.

I have all approvals and all permits for the city.

This is in my first rodeo, I've been building in the city now for 15 years.

Uh and like I said, I'm building a 61 unit apartment building.

I have an inspector, Mr.

Rob Beck, he shows up to the job twice a week.

He gives us feedback, we do whatever he says, and the project is fully permitted, and you know, everything we do by the book, and we're working with the city.

So, you know, I wouldn't agree with what Mr.

Hammond said.

Uh, if you want to come walk to the 61 unit job, you're more than welcome.

We're fully permitted, fully approved by the city, and that's the only way I do my projects.

So I do take great offense to what you said.

It's not true.

I'd just like to step in because I appreciate all the comments here.

Um I agree that there is definitely room for this type of discussion, but not necessarily as part of the HBDO comments.

As part of comments, though, we might want to consider adding the significance of the historic structures surrounding it.

Um sounds like that would be an appropriate addition to these comments so that it's clear to council that there is concern about the impact of the surrounding historic context you said.

I think that would be appropriate to say.

I also want to add that we do have another project to review uh with the same team after this.

Um, so uh so I just want to make sure we're talking about these structures.

We can get on the other structures.

Um and any additional comments on the project team.

I think there are appropriate committees that can address that, Rob moving forward, because you know the concerns are valid.

I just don't know if we can add them on the harbor here.

Um, but would you like to add any specific language about the structures surrounding it?

I mean, is there language you'd like to add to that?

Yeah, I think that it's essential to that the applicants secure all permits for reconstruction for the proposed development prior to any approvals to demolish the existing buildings so as not to adversely affect the neighboring structures and cause collapse of neighboring structures.

And I if you don't mind, I would add to that statement, uh the neighboring structures of historic significance, like the board, the ARP does view I think both sides as 110 and what would that be one sixteen.

Oh, we have a whole new zoning.

Yeah, we'll just push it.

I'm I'm not sure what on which part.

I mean, it's just a totally different zone.

I do have one question now, kind of off of the little bit.

Um, and this could be me, you guys know me long enough.

No, I'm not always there.

But um, am I the only one that sees it's a little weird that it's a seven-story building and everyone else inside three?

Like, is there any kind of issue there at all?

Am I making a mountain as a long hill?

I don't see that as an issue.

I I would see that in a historic district, but part of what historic districts value is is the contrast to the growing city outside of it.

This is closer to the downtown core where there's far more variation in building heights.

Um, so it is something that I think is often a conversation, but I don't, especially in this context.

I just need to make sure I wasn't completely on the street.

Yeah, I mean, we're a block away from a lot of very much.

If you zoom out a little bit, oh yeah, I see a little bit there.

There's a couple like other even historic buildings that are taller.

It's cool.

Yeah, and I reached out to Brandy, and I had a couple questions about that as well.

And he was like, Yeah, you know, it's right on the outskirts, and I get it.

Trust me, I'm all for it.

It's a very pretty building.

I love it.

I'm just making sure that you know, I'm driving along down the street, and all of a sudden now I have a seven-story shadow on me driving down the street and going from there.

But that's just me because I sell um lifestyle, I guess.

So that's kind of my thing.

Like I'm looking at it like this is my neighborhood that I'm walking in.

That's a cheerful animal you're able to write now.

Yeah, that you cheerful animal.

You wouldn't next to the zebra.

Yeah.

Um and to that point, I would make a lot more comments uh on the interior blocks, uh, because I do think that it's a far more stark contrast on REFL on Webster.

Um, but again, it's uh not the historic district.

Um, so if this were adjacent, I would definitely be comment.

Um would you like to add language?

I just wanted to know the general feedback of our view.

Okay.

Well, we do have another structure review.

Are there any other comments we should write for 1114?

My concern is the block itself on both sides is still untouched as far as new construction.

And of concerned about changing that.

I mean, if something had happened, like in a sinkhole or whatever we lost a building, like I can certainly understand it.

I just have a concern of taking taking down to perfectly good buildings, especially the one with even though it might not have much history, but it is still from early part of Allentown, it is in relatively good condition.

Um just my comment.

Yeah.

Um yeah, and I don't, I mean.

Again, it's not the historic district, so it's a growing, growing down.

And so if there is another structure proposed next to it, which we would encourage the problem will be um we review that structure independently as well.

Um if I can't, that's what the new zoning ordinance is intending to do is encourage seven story buildings and encourage a higher density to bring people back into the city to walk neighborhoods like this, which for the shop that'll be next door to this apartment will be a boon for business if if it can appeal to the people that live there.

Uh, and it will be an invitation for more new building in that area, which I think the city desperately needs some reinvestment in some of these neighborhoods.

And so I think to that point, this goes beyond the comments on this particular project.

But um, you know, if we wanted to preserve the entire block, that then we should have created a historic district long ago before this.

But I think that speaks to why it's so important to preserve the historic districts we have.

And I think this speaks to why we should not be taking less approach to the structures we have in the districts.

Um I agree, or outside of the district.

Well, uh, I would disagree on that point.

Not by the district that's any worth any any less worth preserving and no, but the time to preserve that is you know creating a district before construction starts.

So any other comments on these three structures on this property, the historic structures here.

No.

Oh, just uh echo um that the building next to the one with the corner set is pretty significant though.

Um the other smaller ones I can.

Are you saying one ten?

Yeah.

Okay, yeah.

So in our comments on um the significance of surrounding structures, we want to mention like this and details of neighboring structures.

Thank you.

And you were sorry, you were about to say an additional structure.

Oh no, I was just saying that because those are twins, they're two of the same type next to all right.

Um so I have the new comment about protecting the immediate structures as we talked about, and then striking um in the architectural significance, just striking the line about vernacular structures, and we'll just have that the form construction and setback are all consistent for all three structures.

Okay, okay.

Thank you.

Uh I believe that includes one 12 to 114.

Um, moving on to uh 138, 142 North Ninth Street.

Um, I believe with the same parties, right?

I can reintroduce myself if you'd like.

I got it.

Um, so uh when we're ready, we can move on to staff reading for that.

Okay.

And then can I skip the procedural?

Thank you.

We'll say for the recommendation, the same stuff as ever.

138 to 142 North 9th Street is located in the historic building demolition control overlay district.

The project description from the application is as follows.

Demolition is proposed for three attached three-story structures at 138 to 142 North Ninth Street.

The demolition will allow for consolidation of the three parcels and the construction of a six-story mixed-use apartment building consisting of 40 apartment units and 2,705 square feet of retail space.

The first floor of the building will include retail space, lobby and menity space, and trash pickup and drop off areas.

Parking will be provided at the parking deck located at 940 West London Street Allentown.

The proposed project, um, the project proposes to just 0.18 acres.

Proposed improvements for the site include the construction of an apartment building, perimeter sidewalk, and access driveways.

The building is found by an existing masonry building to the north, North 9th Street to the east, an existing parking lot to the south, and North Egg Street to the west.

Architectural description.

138 North Ninth Street is a three-story brick masonry mixed use structure with Queen Inn and Second Empire architectural influences.

The first floor features a raised recessed entry, simple storefront, and bakery valley opening.

A flat decorative stone base frames around two basement windows.

A dentilated wood storefront cornice separates the commercial first floor from the residential upper levels.

A central dentilated wood projecting bank window is flanked by two single windows with a flat with flat carved stone lintels.

The third floor features a mansard roof with asphalt shingles and a dentilated wood cornice.

A central spire features dentilated masonry detailing and a segmental arch over a pair of windows.

140 North 9th Street is a three-story attached brick masonry structure with east like influences.

The window configuration is asymmetric asymmetrical between the first floor and upper levels.

Brownstone steps lead to a raised entry with original wood and glass french doors with carved surround and transom above.

The base of the building features ornate brownstone detailing and grills over arched basement windows.

The original Baker's alley door with transom is in place with a carved lintel above.

Replacement windows are situated in original window openings, which feature carved flat window hoods.

The bracketed wood cornice features in size detailing and a scalloped edge.

142 North Ninth Street is a mirrored has a mirrored composition of 140 North 9th Street with similar detailing and extant features, except there is no baker's alley door as this building is the end of the row.

At the rear of each of these structures, additions were constructed after the initial construction period as seen in the following sandboard maps.

These additions and extensions included both wood frame and brick masonry construction.

Currently, there is a blend of original and replacement materials across the three buildings, including windows, siding, doors, and downspouts.

Historic context.

A series of sandboard maps dated 1885, 1897, 1911, 1932, and 1950 were reviewed.

The current buildings were constructed between the 1885 and 1897, first appearing on the 1897 sandboard map.

Prior to this, the parcels were vacant lots, as seen in the 1885 map.

Over time, additions extended from the rear from the rear of the three buildings comprising brick and/or frame construction.

The block bound by North Ninth Street, Linden Street, North Fountain Street, and West Turner Street was predominantly residential through the early 1900s, with the former St.

Michael's Church anchoring the northeast corner since at least 1885.

Attached dwellings at each end of the 9th Street, each end of 9th Street bookmarked a series of detached dwellings in the middle of the block.

In the mid-1910s, several of the mid-block dwellings were removed for the construction of the Oddfellows Temple, which still exists, and the Owl's home, which was demolished.

The architectural styles of 138 to 142 North 9th Street are consistent with Allentown's residential expansion at the time of construction.

These buildings, together with the dwellings at the south end of the block, showcase the variety of architectural styles and elements utilized in Allentown at the turn of the 20th century.

Staff evaluation and comments.

The buildings at 138 to 142 North 9th Street are representative examples from of construction from the late 1880s and retain the original openings and overall features.

The structures maintain an overall high degree of integrity with many intact original features and detailings and details, including wood cornices, entry doors, carved lintels, and unpainted stone base.

Based on sandboard maps, between 1932 and 1950, 138 North 9th Street was modified from a dwelling to a mixed-use building with a first floor store.

Their perimeter trim and detailing of the first floor appears to be consistent with that time period, with modern replacement storefront glazing and mullions.

Effective demolition on the historic character of the streetscape and surrounding neighborhood.

The streetscape of the immediate block surrounding 138 to 142 North 9th Street maintains several extant structures from the developmental period from the late 1800s to early 1900s.

Some intermediate structures along the street have been removed, altering the streetscape and replacing buildings with parking lots.

The demolition of 138 to 142 North 9th Street would negatively impact historic character of the streetscape by removing structures with original features and creating a void in the rhythm of the building frontages.

If the project is approved to perceive, staff recommend the owner work local architectural salvage organizations to dismantle and salvage original historic elements that may be reused in other locations.

And comments.

All right.

Thank you to staff for those comments.

So again, uh we are just adding um comments on the original historic structures.

Um we're gonna tear down brownstones.

I mean, this building's chopped up already, so I'm very conflicted, but like pretty nice buildings.

I'm kind of bothered by it.

I know it's yeah, yeah, it's conflicted, but is aren't there other lots of opportunity?

I mean, why does it have to be these three?

It appears that there's like a lot of opportunity right next to it.

I mean, it seems like the last one, I feel like that adds to the diversity of the street, but this actually kind of takes out.

Um, that's what I'm concerned about.

Well, I'll if I can.

So I think it's important to note that there is a family dollar across the street.

So the fact is that this is not much like the last project we talked about, where we were talking about uh historical structures all around.

This one has a vacant parking lot next door, which might be a lot of opportunity if someone would sell it to someone who would develop it.

But it's sitting there being used at this point, most likely for the family dollar across the street and overflow traffic for everyone else.

Uh yes, these these structures uh, you know, I you can it doesn't take much to see the charm in some of these structures.

And the last comment that's on the staff comments, uh the apple absolutely work with uh with uh salvage folks to make sure that whatever is is salvageable can be saved and utilized in another project.

Um again, it's the GXC, it's not an historic district, it's the overlay for the building.

Uh the GXC, the new zoning encourages seven-story buildings.

Uh, we are in a uh continued housing crisis that you just have to open the morning call at any given day, and you're gonna see 700 different comments from 700 different people that we need to build more.

Um, and the eight to nine families that live in these three units are going to be replaced by 40 some odd folks that are the folks that are there now.

But we'll work with them.

Yeah, we have other apartments available that they can move to.

But it's it's it I understand these look different than the last two that we were doing.

Yeah, but I understand you guys are all within your limits.

But what we're trying to do is improve, you know, we have the church next door to it, which you know this will emphasize and improve, you know, potentially improve that area to where maybe someone will look at that parking lot and say it's time to redevelop that into a usable space.

Uh unfortunately, sometimes it takes a lost leader to get leading.

Uh, and it you know, where family dollars across the street, we need to start improving this neighborhood a little bit, and the old structures just aren't doing it.

Mixed use, you said, right?

Right.

But that block isn't great for that anyway, but kind of changes the inward focus, right?

I mean, it it is an important walkable pod.

We're we're a block away from PBL tower here, you know.

It's it's it's it's definitely a walkable area, but we're adding storefronts.

I'm not sure the storefront detracts from the walkability increases.

Right.

Um, the other thing when you come in nine and you all going out towards to Turner.

So if you go the turner down, you can you can see all the scale of every resident is consistent, the landscape, the street escape, everything consistent.

Then now when you get turner forward, you become more commercial.

And this is why allowed those businesses that are getting damaged.

They used to be beautiful properties, and then they start putting it down from then the whole building disappearing.

And this is this is what happened, especially with this rock.

Everything is kind of like disappearing.

Yeah.

I mean, I'm gonna add I hate this project, I do, but that's not our comment.

It's it's I I love most of the work that comes out of the out of your office, but this is my least favorite building.

I think we can avoid I hate this project.

But that's not the only official comments.

Um, you know, we are the comments on the significance of the street structures.

Um staff commented on their a high degree of integrity.

I would agree.

I'm not sure if there's anything we can do to add or stress that.

Um, because I do think we're losing some historic structures here.

Um, and then on the uh character of the neighborhood, the converse of the argument of it's surrounded by a bunch of loss is that this is the last remaining evidence really here of the history on the block.

And I think actually that those loss around it actually make it more significant that we're losing um, you know, the the evidence of that hundred-year history there.

I mean, thankfully, uh Oddfellows is down the block, but that's a totally different scale and type.

We're losing this uh residential history here on this block.

Um, so I'm I'm looking at this wondering if we can add some sort of comments about that.

Um the other thing that uh does concern me a little bit, uh, kind of like to the last comment.

We're a block closer to the old Allentown Historic District here.

And this will be seen from the cemetery.

Uh, this is a very prominent view in one of our most historically significant viewpoints in the city of Allentown.

And so I'm actually more curious about what it looks like from the back side.

Um if you don't have I have I can show you the back side.

Uh I will note two things.

One, the planning commission, when they reviewed this initially indicated that they'd like to see some I call it old school architectural uh third floor corners is what they really talked about.

The the same feature that we had in the former building, they'd like to see some development.

I have that it's up on the street now.

And so is that facade going right up to uh the half street comes down at like is that bordering the cemetery?

No, no, no, no.

We add up away for something.

So, you know, the way I'm sorry.

The Carlos's design on the front of the building is uh phrase it as fairly aggressive.

Um, but the back is actually fairly I don't even know what the right architectural term is, but fairly consistent with uh older architecture.

Uh less more squares and rectangles.

Um but the planning note that was mentioned by the planning commission in their initial review is something that's gonna stick with us as we go through planning on this is an attempt to work within the confines of planning and and with city council and with you to come up with some way that maybe we can again honor Allentown history.

Again, this project has proposed murals on the side of the building, which is another way that we can make some reference to what was there now, uh, what uh what was there uh in other designs, uh or we can do something different with local artists and encourage something different.

But that's within the land development process, we're continuing to be committed to working with city officials on some of those design elements to make sure that we're honoring the past while we've while we look towards the future.

Yeah, it's interesting.

Um, because you know, comments on the significance of the current three structures themselves and on the neighborhood.

I think from 9th Street, they are very significant.

Um I think their losses um hugely impactful.

But as it relates to the historic district that we're tasked with preserving this this view shed, I think actually, even though there's nothing historic about this back basade, this west facade at all, um, it's actually an improvement over those historic structures there, which is really frustrating to say.

The backs of those three historic structures, I uh I'm not gonna argue that they're beautiful back there.

Um I don't know, I don't I'm just kind of spewing words.

I'm not sure if this can be turned into a comment.

Some smearing words.

Well, to the extent that it's helpful, uh a comment that echoes the planning commission comment that some uh that we look towards continuing to make some architectural nod towards traditional historical elements.

I think would be consistent, and I'll think we're objecting to that.

And it's a continue that we're gonna work towards.

Obviously, this is the design we have in front of you today.

This may not be the ultimate design by the time we get through all the planning work.

And I think the way that we uh tailor it to, because we are commenting on the new building.

Don't want my comments on the new building, but um tailoring it to this is the surrounding neighborhood is the visual impact from the cemetery in old Allentown Historic District, right?

So the west facade matters almost as much, if not more, than the east facade.

And I think we should include that in the comments on the the impact of the streetscape and surrounding neighborhood.

That's my vote.

Anybody want to argue that or add or I'm gonna agree with actually with pretty much everything that's been said so far.

And I think um Philip really nailed it on ahead, but we're not against the project.

It's just that to find another place to to build it rather than tearing down perfectly good representation of the period and our structures that are still in really good condition.

I mean, why?

Just the why does it have to be right there?

Why can't it be next to that?

Why do you have to tear down perfectly good buildings and do I'm used to raise that?

Just to comment on what you said, Mr.

Yuba.

So the answer to that question is uh that property 138 North Nine Street, I've owned that now for about 12 years.

That's one of the first properties that I came when I that I brought when I that I bought when I came to the city.

I knew that the development downtown was going to start to slowly drift this way.

So I bought that project strategically almost 15 years ago for when you know uh everything that JB was doing downtown started to spill this way, and I just feel now you know the time's right.

Obviously, as they said, there's a family dollar across the street, there's a parking lot and smoke shop uh next door, the church uh is being renovated, they're working on uh fixing that up.

But with everything coming on downtown and you know, the other part of Allentown, I feel that now this is the time to kind of you know bridge that gap and try to make the area more walkable, but it's not just like I picked this block out of nowhere.

I've been here for almost 15 years, that property 138 where the tax service used to be.

I've put in so much money to try to fix that building up, you know, the roof, it is beautiful, and it was built pristine, I'm sure, in 1819, but over the last hundred years, it's just taken a beating.

I mean, we've thrown countless of money, you know, away trying to patch it, fix it, and it's just it's always something.

So I think it kind of has outlived its useful life, but going forward with the new construction, we're definitely open to recreating, you know, the elements best however we can cornices and all of that cool architectural historical stuff, but you know, the building has really outlived its natural life.

We've thrown a lot of money, and it's just it's always something else.

It's the stucco on the side that they plastered over and ruined all the brick or the work that was done before us the past 50 years on the building, but we have tried our best to repair it as we go along, but it's really it's outlived it's just make the new building look like that.

However, we can, yeah.

The top cornices, yeah.

We're all for it.

I'm not gonna argue about historicism, I'm not a fan.

Yeah, just we'll make it take the dollar store.

I mean, yeah, I know they could make it how much bigger is profitable.

They never saw that property.

Yeah, they're definitely not gonna sell them now.

Redeveloped that, which you can't own.

Uh and these are available, and someone was willing to sell them.

And that's a good strategic box.

It's also where I get my propane in winter.

So I can't be honest.

Um I am curious though, on the the topic of historic context.

Uh, can we go back to the map of old Allentown?

Because I know immediately south or east of this.

Yeah, okay, because we because we debated this um these historic structures that got demolished last year, and that was kind of the last piece of the puzzle on that block, and now we're kind of moving here, and I agree that this is the downtown core, and that's that's where we're going, and it's important.

But I recall that this demolition um was intended to strengthen our historic credits over here or something like that.

And and I just wanted to make sure that we weren't this wasn't somehow surrounded by the historic district.

I mean, is our historic district boundary still officially here?

It's been removed.

This section right here does not exist.

So the back is so this is only going happen.

I just want to look at that.

I don't think there's a comment to add there, but I just recall it being surrounded by historic districts.

Around some distance, it's just you know, the cemetery is the view, right?

Um I do think uh I don't think it just goes into our official comments, but I think you have an opportunity here to really set the standard for what you see from the historic district.

Um, you know, the view of PPL Tower from there, that's not the primary facade that you're seeing from that cemetery.

And I think you can set the standard for whatever else happens on 9th Street with this building.

So I appreciate looking at both sides.

Um importance.

Make a comment for the record that this proposal, the building itself is excellent.

The location could not be more heinous, and my comment is that it does not meet the demolition, does not meet the standard of 660 12h in the zoning ordinance.

Um, I'm sorry, 660 12i, the standard for demolition.

Um, what it would say is that the existing building can't be reasonably reused, that there is a hardship, that it's a public project, or that the buildings are not architecturally or historically significant.

Clearly, all three of these buildings are over a century old, they're from the 1800s, and they are clearly historically and architecturally significant, and they're in good condition.

So if we in the historic overlay, we look at porches, we look at chimneys, we look at entire buildings.

How can we look at three buildings and see them get demolished when it meets none of the standards?

And the ordinance provides four possible standards, and it meets none of them.

I obviously have a legal counter to that, but part of the zoning ordinance and a special exception there to the zoning hearing board for, and that's sort of outside of this board's picking room.

But we have that obligation approved, and we can't go forward without it.

So you know, it seems like mentioning that we have to get zoning approval and then mentioning that we have to get zoning approval and referencing that we have to get zoning approval feels a little bit overkill.

Right.

I don't think that can go in our official comments.

That's just noted.

Um any other comments on this?

Yes.

Now, what they're proposing is demolition the entire building and building a new structure.

They're not keeping the facade of the building.

No, all three of these facades.

So all three facades go, and they're putting a new structure in.

Now, is this building technically in historical district?

Because I saw that map.

It's not.

So it's not in the school district.

So why are they proposing it here?

It's my question.

Well, I'll have the same question, but yeah.

Um and actually, uh for the record.

Do you mind saying your name?

Yeah, that'll true.

Thank you.

Um I don't know if uh, I don't I don't think there's an obligation to answer a question, but we can add comments.

Um, do you have another comment you'd like to include there?

Um then I do believe as I have a historical mason by trade.

Now I went to what's called Mason McCamp, and our whole project on that was how do we work with engineers and architects on how to preserve all the buildings.

Now we understand that older buildings, some of them may be their methods of construction back then were completely different than that than how they are now.

Wall ties for iron nails, they're obviously prone to rush jacking.

Now, the structure, like you said, the roof it may have been completely shot because the construction that they did back then is completely different than how it is now.

No flashing and waterproofing in the whole nine, but what I've seen from the drawings that they've had here, I really didn't see anything that goes back to the historical significance.

I didn't see any almost effort to put in oh in the in the new building, yeah.

Yeah, you the new building design.

I what I see are panels and panels can be laid.

I really don't see anything historical other than arches.

I see some arches, arches are nice, but the front of the buildings, like he said, is a brownstone.

That's kind of hard to just destroy because those are very, very hard to see.

And the brick facade, we can use bricks.

You can still use bricks today, they still use buildings and good bricks.

So that's my only comment with that.

Other everything else looks fine.

I do get it.

The area, it's changing.

You do have an empty lot next to it.

I don't know if the church is still if it's still used, but you also have a very old church right next to it.

So the church is no longer being used.

It's not no.

Um, there is opportunity to potentially add comment on the integrity of the masonry brickwork of these historic structures.

Is there a comment we'd like to add there?

What I would like to add here is uh they the previous owner before us, they stuck the whole side of that exterior wall.

So that's oh, so these pictures are old.

These aren't like that's not what the front is right now.

No, they look like that.

He's talking about the the side of the tax service, they stuck with overall that bridge, yeah.

It's all shot underneath, and they painted the whole front of the building, so you wouldn't be able to uh necessarily repoint that.

So that right there isn't that's painted right now.

Yeah, the brown with the tax service and we have that's painted, and uh we have contemplated tool doing brick up to the third floor to preserve the historical aspect, like you said, and uh we do actually have some designs on that.

That's something we're thinking about.

Same thing old and brick up to three.

Yeah, what I'm just saying is you don't I've seen projects where if you're looking at it as a historical person preservation, the very first thing that you follow on the codex is you don't want to try to destroy destroying is the last thing you want to do.

You want to see what we can put back in place.

So the second thing is if well, if you're gonna if we can't replace it, how can we patch it, but patch it with historical materials can't do that?

All right, how can we deconstruct it but reconstruct it with original methods with modern methods combined?

So you're designing an older project like how it was designed suspended, but with modern materials, but it's designed like how it was back then.

So you have it the same, you can design it just like this in the front, doesn't have to be like this.

You're clashing old with new.

That's what we were learning.

And like I said, it's it's not easy.

You sit there, I we went over three nights of tradesman, an architect, and an engineer all sitting in a room designing a whole project, and it can be done.

That's all I'm gonna say.

If they do it everywhere else in the world, it's not as popular as as it is right now.

It's eventually getting to that point because, like you said, there is a housing crisis.

There's not that many houses now.

So now they're looking at doing what can we do with all the buildings.

Dixie Cup is a prime example.

They're gonna reuse that into apartments, and that building's been sitting vacant for a very, very long time.

So when I do see what you've got to see, trying to get more housing in the area.

Um here common, like you said, we're actually working with the city now.

Yeah, to incorporate some historical elements into the building.

So, yes, the answer is yes, we'll work in one of these incorporate that stuff.

So thank you, Neil, for those comments.

Um do we want to go over what we have added for comments?

Um, so I have um adding a comment that the loss along the streetscape, previous loss uh along the streetscape makes this three existing structures more significant.

Um, general comment about not being against the project itself, uh, if there's another location via preferred thing versus taking out these buildings, and that the view shed from the cemetery and old Allentown Sort District is pretty close by, and so the rear is a very important facade to design in the context of being proximate to the historic district.

Okay, and we already wrote in staff comments on the significance of the structures.

I just like think about Neil's comment.

Is there you know anything loss of uh you know we've got original features, details, wood cornices, entry doors, carb lentils, unpainted stone-based.

So I think it's all included there.

Anything else we'd like to add to these comments for review by additional departments in the city where this will this day that certainly will continue, but is there opportunity to add comments on the historic significance here?

No, um I know uh uh I believe that fourth and walnut there was a building that was um surrounded by a parking lot, and they did manage to save the building that's in that lot while building around it.

For me, that's why I think of the city.

You have different structures, and you can add on to stuff.

It seems like a shame to knock down three buildings, build both ones when the opportunity is there, and that's sort of what happened at 702 Hambledon.

They're keeping the bank building and building behind it.

Um I will say the family dollar building, I think goes back to Hesses.

It was basically used as a garage by them.

So I'm not sure if that was especially a great um example because now we're stuck large a lot, and it's going to be stuck there for a long time.

Whereas, like, say the odd fellows building, they knocked down some buildings, but it's still there a hundred years later.

Um I don't know if there's any way.

Um wondering if there's a comment to be added here on the second point, um, the historic character and street cape of surrounding neighborhood on how this really is like the cornerstone of the central business district and surrounded by old Allen Town's historic district.

Um so well, there's a lot of diverse uses and structures, there's a lot of history to contend with.

So I just don't know if this comment there.

Um but um but yeah, I mean, that's even though it's it's totally different context than the last building a block away.

Um, there's a lot of history here.

Uh that I think we're losing.

But I don't know.

Alex, did you have a specific like that could be integrated into the effect because it's a fact of the demolition of the character of the streetscape and surrounding neighborhood and arguably the old allotown historic districts in the surrounding neighborhood?

So I could kind of add some of that additional text and diversity of this street, even though it's uh another important transitional moment from our historic district to the central business district.

Um, and the scale of the previous structures positively contributed to that natural uh progression from history to dense urban four.

It's just something to be aware of with the structure.

I just feel that I hope that we don't end up with the same errors that were made in the 50s and 60s with lot consolidation.

Uh, because we were left with a lot of areas that were basically like the family dollar here.

Yes, DASO.

Yeah, I think my biggest issue, and this is not comments for the record.

Uh because I love the work that comes out of your office, and this just feels like it will be dated.

I I don't like the ovals.

I feel like it's gonna look so outdated so soon.

Um, but that's not our comments.

Um yeah, I I do think this is this is a very significant location.

Um, so just keep that in mind as we move forward.

Make it look pretty.

I just want to add, you know, like I said, I've been in the city for 15 years, and I take great you know, pride in the work that we do, and I appreciate the guys the the comments and feedback that you guys are giving me because I really you know I care about this city, I care the way it's built up and you know, the way it continues to grow.

So thank you for these comments, and we will look to incorporate these comments however we can in the new structure.

Yeah, no, thank you.

Thank you.

It's so funny.

I actually I like the West facade so much more than the east facade, and I think it's just because there's one elbow instead of the three that just want right.

Drives me crazy.

Anyway, any other comments before we get off the record here.

We do still have some other business that we should get to our comments for the record.

All right, thank you so much.

Thank you for share with you.

All right.

Onto other business.

Yeah, uh, we got a subject project grant yeah, initialization of historic.

It's just some information to get into the board.

We have a lot of um strategies, a lot of mediums that we're fine to that we are able to get um digitized, and we apply for our grant project of 25,000 with this readings, we until April to see if we seed it.

Um we're still using grant money from our other branch, so we're starting our scanning process.

So it's gonna be able to help us put that information online and hopefully tell a story on the historic district so it's a little bit more unity friendly, a little more approachable.

So somebody's not saying, Oh, we didn't even know we had a historic district, so we can go on our website, it's a easier access to the public.

Are you hiring somebody to do this?

Correct.

And so all the materials gonna leave the building and go to somewhere and come back.

It'll come back safe.

Um, so you already got this grant?

No, we're we applied for it.

Do we need uh do you need support in the application?

Already built in the like you did we can we have the conversation about GLVR contacting you guys and working together with their internal MLS about the historic districts throughout the value.

I'm not gonna be crazy.

I mean, I wouldn't consult that we have only spaces gets retashed in the property.

I was trying to just say that in a way that we suck.

In addition to that, is um fact is they're gonna get a community that's officer has come out and said that he is because that's what I was gonna say with nine street once back in Allen Town with the historic districts to make it part of the MLS like a specific like right now.

We have a municipal inspections, we have all the management to be a section that they're working on.

And I'm assuming that they would contact you guys.

Yeah, we haven't got contact.

Sounds promising.

Um, so with this uh digital-based preservation.

Um the digital files are going to live on the city's website, correct?

Well, we're gonna eventually put it on the city's website, it's gonna be in our files and our end drive, and then we're gonna find I guess the way to mobilize that information and putting onto the city website where it's user-friendly, eye-friendly.

We can access it.

What is the um plan for the historic records?

Those are being scanned as well, but like are we keeping the originals somewhere?

We have a place that we have physical records over in public works.

Um we're running out of space.

So we're actually in the middle of trying to find another location to put physical records.

We've put all of our zoning files over there, all of our land development files over there.

It's taking up a lot of space.

And those are bigger than the family.

But those that that's the location where all the physical records have been stored since even storing records.

So if you can imagine like a warehouse with no rhyme or reason with just boxes, that's basically what our warehouse looks like.

If any of you have watched severance, it's like the severed for it's the hugest place in the world.

I was there all morning.

Are we are we talking about um you know, like historic rulings of the boards and just photographs?

The paperwork at you know, yes, that's not historic paper.

But are we talking about like photographs?

So, like those are pieces of history, and I'm worried about them just being digitized the image going away.

Um, I never said it would be going away.

I mean, we'll find a location for them.

It'd be nice if we had a place to donate them, and that's why I kind of want to put that out there on the record.

I bet you you could sell them.

Well, I mean, I can't be problems.

But I mean, in the spirit of uh growing the preservation side of Alentown, which I I feel like we're in a much better position than the city, but in a long time, so thank you everyone for getting on that.

Um, but the creation of like an actual space with historic records.

I think there's more of an appetite and anything we could do that to get that moving now that we have these records that are going to need a home soon.

Um would be helpful.

So great.

Anything else need to be done for CLG project?

No, just information.

Any other questions for Brandon?

Uh historic design guideline update.

Are we doing that again already?

We need to.

Oh my gosh, kind of flies.

So I have the design guidelines.

I've I've I've placed in everyone's SharePoint file.

Um I just assigned some homework for the hard work that's possible.

Um, so to our next meeting, I'd like for all of us to go over section one, chapter one, and I'd like us to pick through each section in that chapter and see where there are opportunities to be updated or changed.

And then we'll talk about it at the next meeting and we'll move on to the next chapter.

We'll go chapter by chapter and kind of just near Brandon Jones but cloud.

Yeah, look at it.

Yeah, exactly.

This version uh what I came on.

I was it seems so much older than that though.

Yeah, but it it is it's written fairly well.

For some document like this, you expect it to be very clunky.

This is pretty pretty good version.

So I mean, yeah, we're all for continuing to improve it.

People like this is a good jumping buff point.

There's too many ambiguities that it's yeah, yeah.

Definitely some refinement.

I didn't review it yet.

We're not changing the framework, we're just updating.

Just updating, yeah, we're actually the whole framework selecting.

That's great because I do love that framework.

Yeah, elaborating upon yeah.

It's refinement, yeah.

Talking about data centers in the middle of historic district.

There's not room, they're too big.

Maybe I can use dollar general for that.

Okay, so did everyone here homework.

We're doing chapter one next month.

The introduction and procedures.

Yes, all the um and there will be a test.

No, so um, one thing that I didn't put on the other business in your senior tablets, sign tablets.

It's um 428 North Sixth Street.

Um, we gave them approval, and their budget has been cut.

So they're they came back to the office with uh alternate designs for the building.

So if you guys want to look at the slider one with the with the one light, you like the porch and they like the brick, and they're taking off the porch, you're taking out the brick, they're putting a lot of siding in.

A lot of the aspects that she's taking off are the aspects that we really enjoy.

So no, so the answer is just no.

Trying to find a compromise, you're trying to figure out what aspects of the building can be taken away without having too much of a sterile.

I mean, well, they're taking away brick from side and rear, but keeping it in the front, right?

Correct.

Okay, which is and that's the elevation that we cared the most about, was the front.

Yes.

And side and rear using vinyl windows front elevation would still be metal clad.

Correct.

So they're they're sacrificing the least sensitive facades, right?

Are we talking about not coming back for another approval?

She tried to figure out what she can take off of that application without triggering a hard review again.

Well, no, the hard review.

Yeah, well, we need more information as well.

Yeah.

That's the value point.

But she wants to know, but she wants to know basically she would like to know are there any aspects of the building that would affect the historical surroundings?

A leader.

The new house.

Yeah, that's more wild.

Oh nice when we approved it.

Yeah.

So does that affect the stonework in the front?

No, just on the sides.

Okay.

Because I was wondering facades losing funding for that too.

Because then all of a sudden they'd be stuck with even the south side.

Because that's what you see driving up the street.

Plus on church street, so that would have front.

Because I don't know how to feel about our streets.

Don't test me.

If we put some episodes cladding back there, I'll be pissed.

Sorry, we're still on the record.

So are we looking for um we submit a new application with new renderings, new architectural plans?

Material is I think so.

Yes.

Yeah, if you change it, change the I mean what she like did she have a percent?

Like, what are you talking about?

Did she say, oh, I need to cut 10%?

Can you give me 10% of architectural features to cut?

Like what I didn't even know what to discuss.

They were getting a different project.

You're betting on the project, and the amount of money that they originally had was based on the scope that they presented at the harp.

That got cut.

So now she's trying to figure out a way to keep the project moving forward without having to go through the process over again without you know, basically starting all over again.

But it seems like we're gonna have to just start from scratch and well, whatever called the most is that the scale and massing of this building matter more than the materials because there's not a historic building that was um so you know.

Should she chop the building in half and do half the width and do a future addition?

I don't know.

Um that might be part of it too.

Like, I mean, honestly, that's not the worst idea.

Seems like half the province because they have to fill that entire lot.

Right.

Why not have half a lot?

Well, we have to be realistic.

This is a public project with public money, and it's very far along in the process.

So we we can't be responsible for killing the project.

We we have to we have to work with them, you know, realizing that there's there's not a lot that they can trim off.

It's it's rate work, you know.

Um so it's the the numbers are a lot different from a private project.

Can we wait if it doesn't matter we can't be responsible?

We're not trying to kill the project, but if it doesn't meet the standards, it kills itself, right?

Right.

Well, I'm saying is we can't say build half the building, you know.

I mean, realistically, yes, they have to build this building, they have to build an eight-unit building because that's that's just how their funding is.

So are they okay to bid this with the alternate and just come back next month for comments?

Is I think they're just looking for clarification on on what the um the next step would be with us.

I think they need to present something, so we have something to decide on that.

I'm sure she's not having a great time right now with this.

I get it.

So it's the kind of suggestion she would say that in a disingenuous way.

I'm just like this off.

I don't know.

I don't think we can prescribe that, right?

We can't manage that for all.

I don't think anything was like extra.

They proposed before.

It was already pretty mean.

Relatively, yeah.

I just yeah, yes, I don't know what else to say.

Um you can't value engineer like the facade away.

I mean to make anything change in the budget, you really need to change the footprint of the building, and that's a decision they have to make, just bring it back.

Um interior changes.

I do think the comments we gave were more about relation to surrounding buildings, so that's a comment you can get back to her.

Like, you know, don't change the height or that type of scale.

Um I think it was about the setback and how it relates to buildings to the north of it.

I don't know how about the south, I don't remember what was out.

I I have the conditions that we gave the last time.

So we saw them on July 7th, 2025.

We approved all of the the menu of options that she had, and I believe this was one of them where there was um where there was less brick on the side and just brick on the front.

The conditions that we held to was to use um smooth hardy board.

I believe one of the alternates had um a different um a different texture of Hardy board um to have vertical windows.

I believe there was one elevation that had windows over the door as sort of like a horizontal window, which kind of looked like a misprint, and um no uh shake windows, no shake.

What was the intent of that?

I believe that came from you when you were talking about the uh the um shampless.

Okay, do you need what else do you need?

New blueprints, renderings.

I'm just trying to factor in the cost of all that for the meeting.

Well, I mean, do you know we we often review hand drawing on paper?

We just need to know what's being proposed, and I don't think we're in a position to tell that what to propose.

Okay, I think if they just markups on these, we'd be okay with that, right?

Yeah, only the stamps drawing.

All right, is that everything?

Great.

Sounds like we still have a post-adjournment conversation we want to have, but are we ready to move for adjournment?

One question.

Any news on violations?

Uh I haven't gotten any new violations from anyone.

Oh, that's unusual.

So for um the court case, 248 north nice.

So that's the gentleman that I took to court.

Didn't show, didn't have a um representation for two things.

Ironically, last week, uh, they needed to renew their food license.

So I went and spoke with the um health department, and we were able to find an alternate address.

So now we're in the process of serving the alternate address, hoping that they sign.

And once they sign, then we'll have something to work with.

So if they don't show up in court, we'll be able to move forward and possibly put a lien on the property.

But if we don't have a signature, we have to keep on doing investigations to find out where they are and get somebody to sign letter.

Okay.

Yeah, that yeah.

The first thing we did was send out the constant, and that didn't work, so then we sent out certified mail, and that didn't work.

So now we're just looking for alternate addresses.

I found an alternate address that's not on a county records, it's just an alternate address.

So we're in the process of serving that.

Hopefully, somebody opens a door signs.

They don't actually work there themselves, right?

Probably do, and that was one of the that's when I was talking to the solicitor.

He said another option you could do is just go to the store.

Yeah, so that'll be our next option moving forward.

But it's like being an investigator trying to get these people.

That's why a lot of times these violations they fall to the wayside because it's so much effort trying to get to these people because they understand how to maneuver and get away from us.

It's really annoying because the fix on that place is so easy.

It's it's extreme.

It's not we're not asking for much.

And that's what's that's the craziest part about it.

We're not asking for much.

We're just asking what they agreed upon.

Wasn't even anything serious.

Gooseneck lighting, which is how much of the other ones, like that one on across from the cemetery on True Street that were the bricks fell off the front of the building.

The whole middle between the windows, the whole course of bricks just fell out.

Allen Street.

No, two street, like 1108 or something like that.

Oh come on, you you guys every time I bring it up.

I can't picture that on two.

They put a big piece of plywood on uh over the hole and painted it red.

Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.

That's between 12th and um 12th 11 shoe.

Yeah, yeah, okay.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Yeah.

That's another one.

Yeah, so we sent we sent them um the address, never came, never just fake out.

We have to sit there and figure out where they live.

That's just it's just part of the process.

Zoning has the same issue.

Have to do like investigation trying to find out where these people are.

So no new violence.

Thank you for staying on top of that.

Yeah, if you guys see any violations, let me know, and I'll put out the violation.

But unfortunately, I don't have a lot of time to go out into the field and see violations unless I'm traveling home or coming into work that I'll see them.

Anything else I would love to go off the record.

Are we done?

I will say some for record.

I don't hate the dollar general.

I just hate it.

It's a one-story building, a block and a half off panel.

And all the trash and I'll also add I hate the way they make deliveries with semis to that property.

It has nothing to do with artists.

Okay.

Anything else?

Move to the move to adjourn.

Thank you, Philip, at 733.

Any opposed to adjournment?

Great.