Town Hears Appeal for Cell Antennas on East Meadow Church

The Town of Hempstead Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) heard an important case on Wednesday about four new antennas to be installed in the steeple of the in East Meadow. This comes on the tail of many controversies, especially within the Town of Hempstead, about the installation of cellular towers in residential areas.

“The plan is to replace the existing steeple with a new steeple, which will look exactly like it except only one foot taller,” said Alfred Amato, who is T-Mobile’s Garden City based representing attorney. “None of the antennas themselves will be visible.”

He continued by explaining that all of the new antennas will be contained within the new steeple. Equipment for the antennas will be located outside of the church on a platform, which will be approximately seven feet high and surrounded by screening panel that will match the side of the building.

“Before and after you will not be able to tell a difference,” Amato added in regards to the installation of the intended equipment platform.

In September 2010, the Town of Hempstead passed a new law that require and antennas to not be within 1,500 feet of schools, houses of worship, day cares or private residences. This was meant to protect the integrity of local neighborhoods and property values, in addition to addressing citizens other concerns about the towers themselves. The proposal for the antennas in the steeple on East Meadow Avenue was allowed because the application was filed before the law went into effect.

The passage of this ordinance was one of the first of its kind in the country and received a low level of national coverage. Prior to the establishment of this new regulation, the town had also given residents a larger role in debating the application process of new antennas. According to the Town of Hempstead, they also started to work with a third party consultant, Richard Comi, to weigh in on the hearings.

At the hearing for the  proposed antennas, Amato had a chance to present T-Mobile’s case with their own expert witnesses and testimonies, as well as reports demonstrating the need for coverage in the area. Some of the reports that he presented to the board included T-Mobile’s FCC License, an engineer’s report, data sheet showing sites information and a radio frequency electro compliance report.

Kevin McManus, one of the expert witnesses of EBI Consulting stated that all of the equipment would be in compliance with all federal, state, local and FCC regulations regarding environmental, health and safety concerns. David Bradley, a certified New York State appraiser, discussed how the plans for the antennas would not have any impact on the surrounding properties values.

One of the most important reports delivered pertained to the need for service in the area of the new antenna. This is critical in the process of getting an application for a cell tower approved after the aforementioned law was passed last year in order to demonstrate a clear need for the tower in the immediate area.

David Weiss, Chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals, questioned the need for the antennas in that area. He also requested a list of other locations in the vicinity to see if there were other overlaps in coverage.

“This report explains the need for the site in this area,” Amato said. “Specifically, it states that the in building gap is 1.3 miles east to west and the north the south gap is 1.5 miles. The in vehicle gap east to west is 1.2 miles and north to south 1.8 miles.”

In November, BZA approved a different application from T-Mobile to erect a new to replace a communication pole. Similarly to the current situation in East Meadow, the company was able to bypass the Town’s ordinance because they had filed this petition before it was passed. T-Mobile is also planning to install another set of antennas at the Heritage Apartments on Newbridge Road in East Meadow. This issue is pending to be heard by the BZA in a few months.

The church with the steeple in question was former home of the , which moved across the street many years ago, but still has its cemetery located behind the building. The Landmarks Preservation Commission protects the cemetery, along with approximately 29 other sites in the Town of Hempstead. According to officials, the cemetery, which dates back to the mid 1800’s, will not be affected by the installation of the new antennas and associated equipment. 

“You will be notified by mail of the decision,” said Board member Katrina D’Amato to the Amato at the end of the meeting.