A 100-foot cross overlooking the Fairfax County Parkway at the Sydenstricker Road will be designed to give the Sydenstricker Methodist Church exposure that was lost when the parkway was built. It will give them income as well because the designated cross will be a cell phone tower in disguise.
Joel Campbell, vice chair of the trustees, is looking to put the church back on the map.
"We've lost some of our vision, it helps publicize the church. This is a stealth tower, it's disguised as a 100-foot cross," he said.
Benefits, according to Campbell, would be improved cellular service in the area, beautification of the corner, and church revenue. The tower will be for VoiceStream cell phones, and another company which is yet to be determined. VoiceStream has already discussed the radio frequency factor with church officials, which is the effect the tower will have on radios and phones in the vicinity. Campbell was happy with the meeting with VoiceStream.
"We're convinced there's no health hazard or TV interference based on their study," he said.
Branson Broadaway, a representative of VoiceStream, would not provide any information about the tower.
"This is not a public knowledge yet," he said.
SO FAR, THE TOWER has cleared two of the six hurdles it needs to become a reality. Step one was the board of trustees with the church and the property owners. Step two was the church council, who were for the addition. Step three is a meeting with the church district representatives, which is scheduled for next Thursday.
On June 13, a meeting open to the public is tentatively scheduled, which is "open to all members of the congregation to come and vote," according to Campbell.
Then it goes through the county process which includes the department of zoning, and then the contract is signed. Campbell knows there is some opposition.
"I know there's a contingent that's opposed," he said.
Church member Bob Wenger pointed out the designated tower area, near a large tree that may have to come down.
"Right around where that tree is, it's a very heated issue," he said, adding that although he is a church member, he does not speak for the church.
"It seems most of the people that have children are against it," he said, remembering an Environmental Protection Agency study that indicated the health hazards.
"It seems to have been squelched by the cell phone companies. When money gets involved, facts get cloudy," he said.
"I don't like the commercialization of the church," he said.
Fellow church member Tom Simcoe is also against it.
"My major complaint is the health factor," he said.
Simcoe was aware of the church's desire to be more visible as well.
"Since the parkway went in, this church has been pushed off to the side," Simcoe said.
IN THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, aesthetics was an issue as well as reception.
Three-year resident Amina Imran was skeptical.
"It depends on how big it is, I hope they do consider the aesthetics," she said.
Bramblewood resident Robert Schulte has lived there 26 years. He is interested in following the tower's progress.
"As long as there's no interference with signals coming in here. If you drive down this street nobody will see it but I'm would want to go to a meeting to find out more about it," he said.
Mack Weston is in favor of advances in technology. He got out his Verizon cell phone.
"We do need a stronger signal," he said.
Duc Nguyen answered the door with cell phone in hand.
"It's OK with me," he said.
This is the second time around for the cell tower. In 2000, it was introduced but never went followed through. According to Wenger, the vote was split the last time before the issue just died.