I am writing to thank Lee Lumber for the invaluable
service rendered to us by Paul Valenti. My company
found itself in a difficult position with the
City of Chicago Landmarks Commission. This past spring
we had installed Marvin SDLs in the Astor Street
Historical district without the knowledge
(and thus the city approval) that only
single pane glazing was aloud in this neighborhood.
When we realized our mistake, we approached the city
for retroactive permission and a permit. This quickly
became a huge ordeal for the owners (he is the former
CFO for the City of Chicigo) and myself, as Landmarks
had not yet ever approved such windows for it's historical
districts.
As part of the hurtles we had to overcome, Paul
accompanied me to a meeting with the architectural
support staff of the Landmarks Commission. Paul made a
comprehensive and ultimately persuasive presentation
to the staff outlining the strengths and virtues of
the Marvin SDL windows. In part, this led to the
staff's recommendation that the windows should be
approved for this project.
Paul was kind enough to then attend the next meeting
of the full Landmarks Commission as they officially
reviewed our petition. He made a comprehensive
presentation to the members of the Commission, again
explaining why these previously not allowed window
units ought to be considered. Lo' and behold (and
after we had all sweat bullets) the Commission voted
to approve our request for retroactive permission.
We have now set precedent for the City of Chicago
historical districts for future SDL approval, albeit
to be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Paul's calm, steady and informed disposition truly
helped win the day; we could not have achieved this
without him.
Thank you again for Lee Lumber's help in this matter.
In Lux et Veritas,
Alexander C.
