Historical Architecture Review Board Meeting - April 14, 2026
Historical Architecture Review Board Meeting - April 14, 2026
The Historical Architecture Review Board (HARB) of Allentown, Pennsylvania, met on April 14, 2026, at 6:01 PM. The board reviewed two applications: one for property at 44 North 12th Street (JM Rental Properties) and one for 334 North 9th Street (brick repair). The meeting included roll call, approval of minutes from March 2, 2026, and discussion of each proposal. The board voted to approve both applications with conditions.
44 North 12th Street – JM Rental Properties
Applicant Jamille Mahidali presented a proposal to legalize existing work at 44 North 12th Street, including installation of black aluminum clad wood windows, porch railing modifications, and basement egress changes. Staff provided detailed recommendations. Key discussion points:
- Windows: The board debated the arched windows on the second and third floors. Some members argued for historically accurate curved sashes, while others noted that the existing square sashes were installed previously. A compromise was reached: the applicant must fabricate custom window casing to replicate the original curved appearance, using a durable material approved by staff, to eliminate gaps between glass and exterior elements.
- Front Porch Railing: Staff recommended a thicker top rail to match historic proportions. The board agreed to require the top rail be modified to a thicker profile, with all wood elements painted.
- Front Porch Columns: The applicant agreed to repair or replace deteriorated wood elements in kind, matching existing profiles and painting all wood.
- Basement Egress: The original proposal included a door facing Linden Street. After discussion, the board determined that a custom gate (minimum three-quarters door height) matching historic Allentown examples (e.g., 441 North 11th Street) would be more appropriate. The gate must be approved by staff.
- Rear Porch: Constructed as submitted. Handrails on the rear steps were noted as existing.
Motion and Vote: The board moved to approve the application with conditions. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously (all in favor).
334 North 9th Street – Brick Repair
Applicant Neil Melcher (Melcher Brothers Masonry) proposed repairing deteriorating brick on the primary facade due to water damage from improper mortar. Staff recommended approval with conditions: brick bond must match the original configuration (including reuse of special bricks), and product information for the Heli Beam system (spacing and quantity) must be submitted to staff.
Discussion: The applicant clarified that only the damaged brickwork above the porch would be repaired; painted brick at the lower level would not be altered. The Heli Beam system will provide structural support. The board expressed interest in documenting the repair for educational purposes.
Motion and Vote: The board moved to approve with conditions (brick bond matches original, product information submitted). The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
Key Outcomes
- 44 North 12th Street: Approved with conditions including custom window casing for arched windows, modified front porch railing, repair of front porch columns, installation of a custom historic-style gate for basement egress, and rear porch construction as submitted.
- 334 North 9th Street: Approved with conditions requiring brick bond to match original configuration and submission of Heli Beam system specifications.
- Both applications were forwarded to City Council for final resolution.
Meeting Transcript
Going to call this meeting to order at 6 01 p.m. So welcome to the historical architecture review board meeting of April 6th, 2026. Harbers and advisory body to city councils, city council renders the final decision of HARB recommendations. Under the direction of the uh under the direction of the historic design guidelines, her review covers the general design arrangement, texture, material, and color of a building or structure. We'll also examine how these factors relate to similar features around your building. Anyone in attendance, which in a comment on any listed items on tonight's agenda are required to sign in for records purposes. Do we have anyone online? Staff will introduce and present the proposal through a prepared report which is provided to the applicant and board members for review prior to this evening's meeting. The applicant can 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 we'll ask the applicant and staff for relevant information to supplement the discussion. After the deliberation, Harp will recommend to approve as submitted or approve with conditions, deny with explanation or table the project for further discussion. The applicant is not present at the meeting, or if information by there's not sufficient, the board may table a project until the next meeting to provide the opportunity for applicants to be present and or supply sufficient information for discussion. Proposal will only be tabled once. If the requirements are not satisfied at the following meeting, the form may automatically recommend denial 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. Once you uh once received, you will then be able to pull additional permits associated with your project. Okay, let's move on to roll calls. As I call your name, please respond with present or here, and then your position on the board. Here is not the record member. All right. Um five year building inspector or real estate. I don't remember building inspector. Um here, realtor. Um here chair and representing old Alex. Alison Scales. Yeah, here um representing old fair grants. Bill Hart. Here, representing Westport. And Dave Hubert. Here, vice chair. Uh yeah, formed. All right, we'll move on to minutes of the March 2nd, 2026 meeting. Did everyone have a chance to read? Yeah. Any comments or corrections? There are motion to approve. By Dave. All those in favor of approving minutes. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Great. All right, I'll move straight into new business J and M rental properties. So I just want to clarify the JM rental properties. It's gonna be under Janil as applicant to be as an audit on the record. Thank you. Um mind stating your name. Yeah, Jamille Mahidali. Cool.
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