Community concerned about cell antennas

About 40 residents urged Mayor Bill Hendrick and Deputy Mayor Alan Beach to further consider their issues with T-Mobile’s proposal to erect rooftop antennas at 875 Sunrise Highway.Concerns over possible health risks and aesthetic effects were brought up by several people at an informal community meeting on April 7.

Hendrick and Beach answered questions and assurede residents that they will do more “fact finding” before reaching a decision.

“Maybe I might be wrong, but I thought that you said the only people that want it is T-Mobile,” said one woman to Hendrick. “Besides the money that T-Mobile will make, besides the money the [owner] will make, what’s another reason to have it?”

Hendrick responded that the village had a need for their own towers, but did not have a need for the antennas. He added that T-Mobile might not be spending the money if they not want to serve their clientele better.

The company’s special use application, which was originally filed in May 2008, but updated last year, detailed plans to install nine antennas and equipment cabinets there. Six antennas were proposed in the building’s front adjacent to Sunrise and three are planned for the rear, south east corner next to Scranton Avenue. The building, which was constructed in 1974, was chosen after completing a thorough search of the local area, according to a T-Mobile representative.

Village officials had early questions about the antennas’ visibility, radio emissions and height. John Huber, an attorney representing T-Mobile, was able to address those concerns and present expert testimonies ranging from the plan’s structural aspects to the area’s signal coverage at a February public hearing.