HARB recommends sign and window approvals; committee approves building‑inspection contract and appoints assistant code official

The Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) recommended certificates of appropriateness for multiple applications; the Smart Growth Committee approved those recommendations with clarifications and tabled two items.

HARB recommended approval for a new wall‑mounted sign at 144 West Market Street with two clarifications: the sign background will be off‑white (not stark white) and sign anchors must be drilled into the mortar joints rather than into the face of the brick. The committee accepted HARB's recommendation.

For 4236 West Gay Street, HARB recommended that four existing historic wood windows be restored and repaired in kind rather than removed and replaced; concealed weather stripping may be installed and the owner has the option to repair or replace existing aluminum storefront windows or install wood storm windows. The committee accepted those conditions.

Two HARB items were held: 121 East Market Street (window replacement applicant was a no‑show) and 40 East Market Street (deck, preliminary review)—both were tabled pending further HARB review.

Separately, the committee approved a contract with Building Inspection Underwriters of Pennsylvania and appointed Kyle Bender, BCO, as assistant building code official and assistant zoning officer. Sally Reiner thanked staff for quickly securing the vendor and reported the contractor has inspected the hotel and Jolene's; two sites are scheduled for final inspection the following week and temporary certificates of occupancy have been issued where applicable. “We were able to turn around and meet with the vendor within 3 business days, and really weren't didn't miss a beat,” Reiner said.

The committee recorded no separate roll‑call vote tallies in the transcript for the HARB recommendations or the contract; the meeting discussion indicates committee agreement on the approvals and tabled items.