10. ARC-23-074 (ZON-23-061) 100 WORTH AVE (COMBO)
This project has been deferred to the October 25, 2023 meeting.
1 Public Comment
Public Comment, Town of Palm Beach Admin
admin
over 1 year ago
Received via mail 9.5.23:
Re: Winthrop House Petition
At the Arcom meeting held on August 23,2023, Commissioner Shiverick asked the Winthrop House architect if the existing brick needed to be removed. A definitive answer was not forthcoming because removal of the brick has never been supported by evidence!
The Board of Directors of the Winthrop House, in its effort to create a "new look" for the building, has ignored sensible and well-established procedures for evaluating the brick- veneer wall system in its entirety. Consequently, Commissioner Shiverick's question to date remains unanswerable. Essentially forensic procedures to definitively establish the integrity of the brick support angles and bolts were never utilized. This lack of professional oversight has created the situation which is currently before you.
As Arcom recognizes, the brick veneer adds a comfortable texture which improves the scale of this otherwise formidable structure. It is the hope of a growing number of Winthrop House residents that Arcom will continue to hold the line, and not yield to misguided effors to remove the brick facade.
SUGGESTED APPROACH
The existing brick veneer has been poorly maintained and neglected over the years. Assuming the shelf angles are forensically determined to be sound, if a vapor-barrier is injected onto the lower CM U courses, and new anchors, weep holes and vents are installed, there is no reason why the brick should not last for the life of the building.
SUMMATION
Since the engineering reports are proprietary, I am prohibited from including them with this document. Arcom, however, may request to view them, and will see that they are filled with innuendo and contradiction. For example, one engineer, who has never seen the building, has recommended removing the brick simply because the shelf angles are over 50 years old. Another engineer who has actually examined the shelf angles conversely says that they are fine.
After a careful review of the documents Arcom whould be able to determine for itself whether the data contained therein, as I submit, warrants a second look.
Respectfully
James D Wilner
Received via mail 9.5.23:
Re: Winthrop House Petition
At the Arcom meeting held on August 23,2023, Commissioner Shiverick asked the Winthrop House architect if the existing brick needed to be removed. A definitive answer was not forthcoming because removal of the brick has never been supported by evidence!
The Board of Directors of the Winthrop House, in its effort to create a "new look" for the building, has ignored sensible and well-established procedures for evaluating the brick- veneer wall system in its entirety. Consequently, Commissioner Shiverick's question to date remains unanswerable. Essentially forensic procedures to definitively establish the integrity of the brick support angles and bolts were never utilized. This lack of professional oversight has created the situation which is currently before you.
As Arcom recognizes, the brick veneer adds a comfortable texture which improves the scale of this otherwise formidable structure. It is the hope of a growing number of Winthrop House residents that Arcom will continue to hold the line, and not yield to misguided effors to remove the brick facade.
SUGGESTED APPROACH
The existing brick veneer has been poorly maintained and neglected over the years. Assuming the shelf angles are forensically determined to be sound, if a vapor-barrier is injected onto the lower CM U courses, and new anchors, weep holes and vents are installed, there is no reason why the brick should not last for the life of the building.
SUMMATION
Since the engineering reports are proprietary, I am prohibited from including them with this document. Arcom, however, may request to view them, and will see that they are filled with innuendo and contradiction. For example, one engineer, who has never seen the building, has recommended removing the brick simply because the shelf angles are over 50 years old. Another engineer who has actually examined the shelf angles conversely says that they are fine.
After a careful review of the documents Arcom whould be able to determine for itself whether the data contained therein, as I submit, warrants a second look.
Respectfully
James D Wilner