No opposition at cell antenna hearing

No one spoke against a proposal to build four cell antennas inside the steeple of an East Meadow church at a public hearing during the Feb. 2 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting at Hempstead Town Hall. 

The afternoon hearing, which lasted about 45 minutes, was conducted in front of a tiny audience that included two members of the media and several consultants who appeared on behalf of the applicant, T-Mobile. 

Al Amato, an attorney representing T-Mobile, outlined the company’s plan to replace the existing steeple at Open Hand of God Church, at 493 East Meadow Ave., with a new one that contains four antennas. He told the BZA that the antennas would be concealed.  

“They are not visible,” said Amato, who pointed to a before-and-after rendering of the project site. “You will not be able to see any antennas whatsoever.”

T-Mobile engineers have said that the current steeple, composed of asphalt shingles, would be replaced with a new fiberglass structure that industry leaders often refer to as “stealth.” The aim of the project, engineers said, is to boost coverage while limiting the aesthetic impact on the residential and business community.   

Amato called on his consultants to testify on various aspects of the T-Mobile application, which included cellular coverage, aesthetics, real estate, engineering and construction. 

David Bradley, a state-certified appraiser, testified that the antennas, once complete, would not have an impact on the real-estate values of surrounding properties. A site-acquisition expert, Wayne Smith, said the church property was determined to be the most feasible spot for the antennas. Eight other potential sites were ruled out, Smith said. 

Because the application was made for a property adjacent to a town landmark, the East Meadow United Methodist Church Cemetery, the town’s Landmark Preservation Board must also review and approve it. The applicants also await the decision of the BZA.