Council reverses HARB denial for 1111 West Turner Street after motion to approve as amended

The Allentown City Council on an agenda item concerning 1111 West Turner Street first recorded a vote in agreement with the Historic Architectural Review Board—s (HARB) denial, but later, after discussion and a motion to amend, the council changed course and approved the roof to remain.

The matter came before the council after the DCED committee forwarded HARB—s denial of a certificate of appropriateness for a roof that had been installed without HARB-approved materials and without required permits and a certificate of appropriateness. Miss Kistler, the city—s HARB representative, told council that a city inspection found the roof installed correctly but with non-HARB-approved materials; HARB had therefore denied the certificate.

John Tarrellas, who identified himself as the current owner, told council he purchased the house, had the roof inspected and said the work stopped long-standing leaks. Tarrellas said he had paid an acquaintance about $1,500 to do the work and later obtained permits and an inspection. "I just want to keep the house in one piece," he said.

Council members discussed the practical and enforcement consequences for sellers and buyers in the historic district, noting that presale inspections can fail a roof that lacks HARB-appropriate materials and that replacement costs could be significant. Miss Gerlach asked whether a yes vote would force the owner to remove the roof; staff said the roof was structurally sound but did not use historically required materials and lacked a prior certificate of appropriateness.

On the initial roll call on the resolution (denial), the motion failed. Council members then moved to amend the resolution, effectively flipping the denial to an approval for this property; the amendment passed on a roll call and the resolution as amended was recorded as approved. The clerk recorded the amendment vote with the majority voting yes.

Council members and staff emphasized education and outreach as a long-term approach: staff said the city recently launched a HARB survey and community meetings, is conducting an assessment and is developing outreach materials to notify owners in the historic district about permit and material requirements. Council members noted prior budget funding of $20,000 for communications to historic-neighborhood residents and said presale inspections are an opportunity to educate buyers and realtors about HARB requirements.

Owner Tarrellas told council he is in the process of selling the home and said the roof—s repairs stopped leaks; he acknowledged he had not used a licensed contractor initially and had not pulled permits before installation.

Miss Kistler and other staff said they are increasing education, providing photographs and specifications for appropriate materials and working one-on-one with property owners to avoid similar conflicts.

The council approved the resolution as amended, allowing the existing roof to remain under the amended motion.