Thomas MacMillan Photo
The sector of five antennae on 129 Church, visible above a double white line of masonry.
“If we paint it the right color, you won’t even notice it.”
That was the nutshell view of Ken Baldwin, a Robinson & Cole lawyer for Verizon Wireless, as he made his pitch to allow additional antennae atop the historic 129 Church St. building.
The City Plan Commissioners agreed with him and after a short discussion at a meeting last week voted unanimous approval.
Currently there are five sectors or panels of five antennae each on three sides of the penthouse equipment building atop 129 Church.
The proposal calls for one antenna in each of those three sectors of five each simply to be replaced by a newer model that is skinnier and about two feet longer.
The new equipment will permit Verizon to provide enhanced wireless voice and data services in the New Haven area that it could not achieve with the current technology, according to the company..
The additional length will extend downward, Baldwin said.
“There will be no visual effect,” he said — especially if it is painted to match the color of the building, which is the intention.
City Plan staffer Joy Ford said that only if you go to the corner of Church and Chapel or Church and Temple and peer up, would you notice the equipment.
“I go to that building all the time, and I didn’t see them at all, ” agreed City Plan Chairman Ed Mattison.