Received via email 11.18.24:
To : Landmark Commission
Please note that I fully support Bethesda by the Sea in opposing the Landmarking of the subject property at 376 S. County Road.
The church has consistently been excellent stewards of all its properties and we trust the town will value it commitment and judgement to respect this property.
Respectfully Yours,
Brad Miller
BBTS Members Since 1996
Bradford P. Miller
6500 Washington Road
West Palm Beach, FL. 33405
Received via email 11.18.24:
I support Bethesda-by-the-Sea’s position opposing landmarking the Church Mouse.
Dan Mahlbacher
410 Evernia St.
West Palm Beach
Parishioner, Bethesda-by-the-Sea
Public Comment, Town of Palm Beach Admin
admin
5 months ago
Received via email 11.18.24:
Dear LPC and Town Council,
I am reaching out to oppose landmarking the Church Mouse. The Church Mouse, and its parent, The Church of Bethesda by the Sea, both play a vital role in the community. By handcuffing the Church Mouse with landmarked status, it will prohibit the retail shop from potentially growing and continuing to serve the growing community at large.
While I respect the LPC and recognize the importance of creating landmarked status for our town's architectural gems, I am 100% confident that the Church of Bethesda by the Sea will remain an excellent steward of the important property, and they will respect the history and integrity of the building while allowing the business to more effectively serve the growing community.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
James Sharp Brodsky
BBTS Vestry Member and PB resident
Received via email 11.18.24:
Dear Members of the Landmarks Preservation Committee and Town Council—
I write in opposition to the proposed landmarking of The Church Mouse building at 376 South County Road.
I have lived and worked in Palm beach for 40 years, am a former member and Chairman of the Palm Beach Planning and Zoning Commission (for nine years), and am a current member of the Vestry and former Senior Warden (three different times!) of The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-By-The-Sea.
Bethesda Church is and has long been an integral part of our community, town-serving in so many ways with its financial and event outreach, and an excellent steward of our many historic properties. Primarily through The Church Mouse, it has and continues to contribute very significant funds every year to needy organizations throughout Palm Beach County.
We respectfully request your favorable consideration of our opposition to landmarking. We think landmarking The Church Mouse building (which has been altered throughout the years many times) is unnecessary, and we are very concerned that by doing so you will inadvertently “tie our hands” by limiting the future value of the building and/or our ability to modify its structure in a way that would allow us to increase sales – and therefore limit our ability to benefit the community by maintaining and ideally increasing our outreach contributions.
Respectfully,
Jim Bertles
Received via email 11.18.24:
To the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Town Council,
I am writing to state my opposition to the proposed landmarking of the Church Mouse building at 376 S County Road.
The Church Mouse is an integral part of the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea and central to its mission of proclaiming the love of God by caring for those in need. Both the church and the Church Mouse are precious assets to the Town of Palm Beach and the greater community. They are operated with the best interests of our parishioners and neighbors, on and off the island, in mind.
In fact, Bethesda-by-the-Sea may be one of the most town-serving organizations in Palm Beach, serving the community spiritually, financially, culturally and civically. In his presentation on Nov. 20, Jamie Gavigan of Shutts & Bowen LLP will summarize some of the important ways Bethesda serves the Town of Palm Beach and the greater community.
Bethesda is also mindful of the need to preserve and protect the precious physical assets entrusted to us for the execution of our mission, especially the church and surrounding buildings, the rectory on Barton Road, and the Church Mouse. Bethesda has been, and will continue to be, a conscientious steward of these historic assets.
The Church Mouse is doing an excellent job of performing its mission of providing a retail outlet offering donated items of household goods, artwork, furniture and clothing to the community at fair prices, and in the process generating income to support Bethesda's many outreach efforts in the community. Over the years this income has enabled many millions of dollars of outreach support in Palm Beach County and beyond.
There is no intention of changing the building or the status of the Church Mouse. The Mouse is a unique entity, not under the same financial models that dictate decision-making for for-profit organizations utilizing commercial property on the island. It should not be treated the same way. There is no need to landmark 376 S County Road. I respectfully ask the LPC and Town Council to follow Bethesda's stated desire to leave the status of the Church Mouse as it is, without landmark designation.
Sincerely,
Beth Cole, 1193 N Lake Way, Palm Beach
Palm Beach resident and Bethesda parishioner of 28 years
Volunteer and Vestry member
Currently serving as Senior Warden
Received via email 11.17.24:
Dear Landmarks Preservation Committee of the Town of Palm Beach and Town Council of Palm Beach,
I have been an active member of Bethesda-by-the-Sea since 1989. In those years, I have served on the Vestry and as Senior Warden, as a Member of the Personnel Committee for many years, and have been involved in Adult Education for over 30 years.
In my active participation in the Parish, I have been aware of the steps taken over the years to preserve the grounds of Bethesda and as well as the Church Building, the Rectory, and the Church Mouse. The diligence of Bethesda in this regard has been exemplary and a model for the community.
In addition to caring for its facilities, Bethesda is (and has been) a significant contributor to the well-being of the Palm Beach community in making its facilities available for public uses, and by supporting – financially and otherwise – a number of charitable organizations in Palm Beach and the broader community.
For these reasons, I respectfully oppose landmarking for the Church Mouse and support Bethesda's position in opposition to landmarking.
Very truly yours,
Thomas G. O’Brien III
272 Eagleton Estate Blvd.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Received via email 11.16.24:
Dear Members of the Landmark Preservation Committee and Palm Beach Town Council,
We are long-time members of The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea (since 1980), and have both served on the Vestry and on numerous committees throughout the many years of our affiliation with Bethesda. Thus, we care deeply about our parish and the historical significance of its property. We also resided and worked in Palm Beach for many years, so we also care deeply for the town and its preservation.
We are writing to express our opposition to the landmarking of The Church Mouse property at 376 S. County Rd. We oppose it for the following reasons:
1. While the church and its grounds on Barton Rd. and S. County Rd. are architecturally significant, the building that houses The Church Mouse is not an architecturally important structure. It has been modified several times over the years, so is not original in any way.
2. Landmarking this structure will limit the church’s property rights and make the property less valuable.
3. The Church Mouse generates many hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to benefit the needy in Palm Beach County. It is greatly revered for the funds it provides to Bethesda-by-the-Sea for its charitable outreach. The structure has been modified over the years to accommodate its growth. Landmarking the building would preclude any future modifications that might become necessary. Why limit a property that is so important to so many people in our community? It could only hurt the future of The Church Mouse and thus the people and community it serves.
We beseech you to honor the wishes of The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea and oppose landmarking of The Church Mouse property. Thank you for your consideration of our request.
Sincerely,
Becky and James (Jim) Myers, Jr.
1249 Breakers West Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL 33411
(Previously resided at 310 Seabreeze Ave. in Palm Beach)
Received via email 11.16.24:
Landmarks Preservation Committee and the Town Council,
As a long time member of Bethesda (52 years) the congregation, staff, and clergy
of Bethesda have proven for over 100 years that we have been an excellent steward of our historic properties (the church, the rectory, the Church Mouse). I do not think it is necessary to landmark the Church Mouse. My mother, Jane Caruso volunteered in the Church for 50+ years and would be very pleased to agree to not landmark the CM. With continued growth, the CM will be able to increase our donations to non profit organizations.
Bethesda and the Church Mouse are highly town-serving organizations on many levels. The church, garden, koi pond, Tea House and bookshop attract visitors from all over the world! We strongly request that the LPC and the Town Council to give deference to Bethesda's wishes opposing landmarking.
Respectfully,
Suzanne Crawford
1800 Embassy Dr,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Received via email 11.15.24:
Dear Members of the Town Council and the Landmark Preservation Council,
I am writing to express my desire for the Church Mouse not to be landmarked in your upcoming decision. Owned by the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, this nonprofit entity greatly benefits the greater Palm Beach area by providing grants to needy nonprofit organizations in Palm Beach County.
Bethesda has proven itself to be a faithful steward of our historical properties in Palm Beach for over 100 years. I ask the LPC and the Town Council to defer to Bethesda’s wishes in opposing landmarking.
I have been a member of Bethesda since 2015, serving on staff as a priest, both stipendiary and non-stipendiary, for six of those years. I live at 529 S. Flagler Drive, 26G, West Palm Beach, Florida.
Blessings,
Elizabeth+
The Rev. Canon Elizabeth Rankin
The Rev. Canon Elizabeth Rankin | Assisting Priest | (561) 655-4554
141 South County Road, Palm Beach, FL 33480 | Rankin@bbts.org www.bbts.org
Received via email 11.15.24:
To the Landmark Preservation Committee ("LPC") and the Town Council:
Dear Committee Members and Town Council Members:
I am a 16-year resident of the North End, residing at 234 Via Las Brisas. I am an active parishioner of Church of Bethesda by the Sea. I have been a Vestry member and head of Bethesda’s Finance Committee. I am currently the Treasurer of Bethesda and a member of its Outreach (Charitable) Committee.
Bethesda is very proud of and invests heavily in the preservation of its century-old, architecturally significant, church and campus.
However, as a town resident and an active Parishioner, I oppose the possible landmarking of Bethesda's resale store, the Church Mouse. The "Mouse," despite difficult physical constraints, renders enormous service to the town and county. The Mouse accepts and resells clothing and other goods from those who no longer need them and resells these goods to those who do need them. It has annual revenues in excess of $1 million, from which Bethesda has donated over $6 million in recent years to over 24 deserving entities for food, shelter, and education.
Bethesda hopes to grow the activities of the Mouse and to provide even more generous community donations in the future. However, placing tight Landmarking constraints on the Mouse's use of its building would restrict these hopes unnecessarily and would be the opposite of "Town-serving" regulation. There is no need to Landmark the Mouse to protect Palm Beach from possible future architectural mismanagement by Bethesda. Bethesda doesn’t and would never do such a thing. There are no plans to sell or demolish the Church Mouse property or anything like that. Indeed, the Mouse's location is a key to its success. Our customers, volunteers, and donors love the convenient location. Please just allow the Mouse to be the Mouse and to continue its multi-decade story of success and generosity. Bethesda will care for it and will always do the right thing.
Respectfully submitted,
John G. Brim
Attached letter received via mail 11.14.24 from Martin Klein
Received via email 11.18.24:
To : Landmark Commission
Please note that I fully support Bethesda by the Sea in opposing the Landmarking of the subject property at 376 S. County Road.
The church has consistently been excellent stewards of all its properties and we trust the town will value it commitment and judgement to respect this property.
Respectfully Yours,
Brad Miller
BBTS Members Since 1996
Bradford P. Miller
6500 Washington Road
West Palm Beach, FL. 33405
Received via email 11.18.24:
I support Bethesda-by-the-Sea’s position opposing landmarking the Church Mouse.
Dan Mahlbacher
410 Evernia St.
West Palm Beach
Parishioner, Bethesda-by-the-Sea
Received via email 11.18.24:
Dear LPC and Town Council,
I am reaching out to oppose landmarking the Church Mouse. The Church Mouse, and its parent, The Church of Bethesda by the Sea, both play a vital role in the community. By handcuffing the Church Mouse with landmarked status, it will prohibit the retail shop from potentially growing and continuing to serve the growing community at large.
While I respect the LPC and recognize the importance of creating landmarked status for our town's architectural gems, I am 100% confident that the Church of Bethesda by the Sea will remain an excellent steward of the important property, and they will respect the history and integrity of the building while allowing the business to more effectively serve the growing community.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
James Sharp Brodsky
BBTS Vestry Member and PB resident
Received via email 11.18.24:
Dear Members of the Landmarks Preservation Committee and Town Council—
I write in opposition to the proposed landmarking of The Church Mouse building at 376 South County Road.
I have lived and worked in Palm beach for 40 years, am a former member and Chairman of the Palm Beach Planning and Zoning Commission (for nine years), and am a current member of the Vestry and former Senior Warden (three different times!) of The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-By-The-Sea.
Bethesda Church is and has long been an integral part of our community, town-serving in so many ways with its financial and event outreach, and an excellent steward of our many historic properties. Primarily through The Church Mouse, it has and continues to contribute very significant funds every year to needy organizations throughout Palm Beach County.
We respectfully request your favorable consideration of our opposition to landmarking. We think landmarking The Church Mouse building (which has been altered throughout the years many times) is unnecessary, and we are very concerned that by doing so you will inadvertently “tie our hands” by limiting the future value of the building and/or our ability to modify its structure in a way that would allow us to increase sales – and therefore limit our ability to benefit the community by maintaining and ideally increasing our outreach contributions.
Respectfully,
Jim Bertles
Received via email 11.18.24:
To the Landmarks Preservation Commission and the Town Council,
I am writing to state my opposition to the proposed landmarking of the Church Mouse building at 376 S County Road.
The Church Mouse is an integral part of the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea and central to its mission of proclaiming the love of God by caring for those in need. Both the church and the Church Mouse are precious assets to the Town of Palm Beach and the greater community. They are operated with the best interests of our parishioners and neighbors, on and off the island, in mind.
In fact, Bethesda-by-the-Sea may be one of the most town-serving organizations in Palm Beach, serving the community spiritually, financially, culturally and civically. In his presentation on Nov. 20, Jamie Gavigan of Shutts & Bowen LLP will summarize some of the important ways Bethesda serves the Town of Palm Beach and the greater community.
Bethesda is also mindful of the need to preserve and protect the precious physical assets entrusted to us for the execution of our mission, especially the church and surrounding buildings, the rectory on Barton Road, and the Church Mouse. Bethesda has been, and will continue to be, a conscientious steward of these historic assets.
The Church Mouse is doing an excellent job of performing its mission of providing a retail outlet offering donated items of household goods, artwork, furniture and clothing to the community at fair prices, and in the process generating income to support Bethesda's many outreach efforts in the community. Over the years this income has enabled many millions of dollars of outreach support in Palm Beach County and beyond.
There is no intention of changing the building or the status of the Church Mouse. The Mouse is a unique entity, not under the same financial models that dictate decision-making for for-profit organizations utilizing commercial property on the island. It should not be treated the same way. There is no need to landmark 376 S County Road. I respectfully ask the LPC and Town Council to follow Bethesda's stated desire to leave the status of the Church Mouse as it is, without landmark designation.
Sincerely,
Beth Cole, 1193 N Lake Way, Palm Beach
Palm Beach resident and Bethesda parishioner of 28 years
Volunteer and Vestry member
Currently serving as Senior Warden
Received via email 11.17.24:
Dear Landmarks Preservation Committee of the Town of Palm Beach and Town Council of Palm Beach,
I have been an active member of Bethesda-by-the-Sea since 1989. In those years, I have served on the Vestry and as Senior Warden, as a Member of the Personnel Committee for many years, and have been involved in Adult Education for over 30 years.
In my active participation in the Parish, I have been aware of the steps taken over the years to preserve the grounds of Bethesda and as well as the Church Building, the Rectory, and the Church Mouse. The diligence of Bethesda in this regard has been exemplary and a model for the community.
In addition to caring for its facilities, Bethesda is (and has been) a significant contributor to the well-being of the Palm Beach community in making its facilities available for public uses, and by supporting – financially and otherwise – a number of charitable organizations in Palm Beach and the broader community.
For these reasons, I respectfully oppose landmarking for the Church Mouse and support Bethesda's position in opposition to landmarking.
Very truly yours,
Thomas G. O’Brien III
272 Eagleton Estate Blvd.
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
Received via email 11.16.24:
Dear Members of the Landmark Preservation Committee and Palm Beach Town Council,
We are long-time members of The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea (since 1980), and have both served on the Vestry and on numerous committees throughout the many years of our affiliation with Bethesda. Thus, we care deeply about our parish and the historical significance of its property. We also resided and worked in Palm Beach for many years, so we also care deeply for the town and its preservation.
We are writing to express our opposition to the landmarking of The Church Mouse property at 376 S. County Rd. We oppose it for the following reasons:
1. While the church and its grounds on Barton Rd. and S. County Rd. are architecturally significant, the building that houses The Church Mouse is not an architecturally important structure. It has been modified several times over the years, so is not original in any way.
2. Landmarking this structure will limit the church’s property rights and make the property less valuable.
3. The Church Mouse generates many hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to benefit the needy in Palm Beach County. It is greatly revered for the funds it provides to Bethesda-by-the-Sea for its charitable outreach. The structure has been modified over the years to accommodate its growth. Landmarking the building would preclude any future modifications that might become necessary. Why limit a property that is so important to so many people in our community? It could only hurt the future of The Church Mouse and thus the people and community it serves.
We beseech you to honor the wishes of The Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea and oppose landmarking of The Church Mouse property. Thank you for your consideration of our request.
Sincerely,
Becky and James (Jim) Myers, Jr.
1249 Breakers West Blvd
West Palm Beach, FL 33411
(Previously resided at 310 Seabreeze Ave. in Palm Beach)
Received via email 11.16.24:
Landmarks Preservation Committee and the Town Council,
As a long time member of Bethesda (52 years) the congregation, staff, and clergy
of Bethesda have proven for over 100 years that we have been an excellent steward of our historic properties (the church, the rectory, the Church Mouse). I do not think it is necessary to landmark the Church Mouse. My mother, Jane Caruso volunteered in the Church for 50+ years and would be very pleased to agree to not landmark the CM. With continued growth, the CM will be able to increase our donations to non profit organizations.
Bethesda and the Church Mouse are highly town-serving organizations on many levels. The church, garden, koi pond, Tea House and bookshop attract visitors from all over the world! We strongly request that the LPC and the Town Council to give deference to Bethesda's wishes opposing landmarking.
Respectfully,
Suzanne Crawford
1800 Embassy Dr,
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Received via email 11.15.24:
Dear Members of the Town Council and the Landmark Preservation Council,
I am writing to express my desire for the Church Mouse not to be landmarked in your upcoming decision. Owned by the Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea, this nonprofit entity greatly benefits the greater Palm Beach area by providing grants to needy nonprofit organizations in Palm Beach County.
Bethesda has proven itself to be a faithful steward of our historical properties in Palm Beach for over 100 years. I ask the LPC and the Town Council to defer to Bethesda’s wishes in opposing landmarking.
I have been a member of Bethesda since 2015, serving on staff as a priest, both stipendiary and non-stipendiary, for six of those years. I live at 529 S. Flagler Drive, 26G, West Palm Beach, Florida.
Blessings,
Elizabeth+
The Rev. Canon Elizabeth Rankin
The Rev. Canon Elizabeth Rankin | Assisting Priest | (561) 655-4554
141 South County Road, Palm Beach, FL 33480 | Rankin@bbts.org www.bbts.org
Received via email 11.15.24:
To the Landmark Preservation Committee ("LPC") and the Town Council:
Dear Committee Members and Town Council Members:
I am a 16-year resident of the North End, residing at 234 Via Las Brisas. I am an active parishioner of Church of Bethesda by the Sea. I have been a Vestry member and head of Bethesda’s Finance Committee. I am currently the Treasurer of Bethesda and a member of its Outreach (Charitable) Committee.
Bethesda is very proud of and invests heavily in the preservation of its century-old, architecturally significant, church and campus.
However, as a town resident and an active Parishioner, I oppose the possible landmarking of Bethesda's resale store, the Church Mouse. The "Mouse," despite difficult physical constraints, renders enormous service to the town and county. The Mouse accepts and resells clothing and other goods from those who no longer need them and resells these goods to those who do need them. It has annual revenues in excess of $1 million, from which Bethesda has donated over $6 million in recent years to over 24 deserving entities for food, shelter, and education.
Bethesda hopes to grow the activities of the Mouse and to provide even more generous community donations in the future. However, placing tight Landmarking constraints on the Mouse's use of its building would restrict these hopes unnecessarily and would be the opposite of "Town-serving" regulation. There is no need to Landmark the Mouse to protect Palm Beach from possible future architectural mismanagement by Bethesda. Bethesda doesn’t and would never do such a thing. There are no plans to sell or demolish the Church Mouse property or anything like that. Indeed, the Mouse's location is a key to its success. Our customers, volunteers, and donors love the convenient location. Please just allow the Mouse to be the Mouse and to continue its multi-decade story of success and generosity. Bethesda will care for it and will always do the right thing.
Respectfully submitted,
John G. Brim
Attached letter received via mail 11.14.24 from Martin Klein